Herndon, VA vs San Marcos, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Herndon
68.4
#1320 nationally
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Herndon leads in walk score (51 vs 33). Herndon leads in median household income ($133,403 vs $99,413). Herndon leads in cost of living index (145 vs 166).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Herndon, VA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.4 (#1320) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 24,935 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $734,699 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $133,403 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 26 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 6.6 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 145 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+16.8 |
D+
68.4 Score
Herndon, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$734,699
Population
24,935
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Northeast
View Herndon, VA →
D-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →