Lafayette, CA vs Palm Desert, 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.
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Palm Desert
66
#1595 nationally
Lafayette leads in crime level (2.2 vs 8.9). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $75,691). Palm Desert leads in cost of living index (136 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lafayette, CA | Palm Desert, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1832) | 66 (#1595) |
| Population | 25,048 | 51,951 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,941,109 | $544,379 |
| Median Household Income | $219,250 | $75,691 |
| Average Commute | 29.7 min | 22.4 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 2.2 | 8.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 280 | 136 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | R+1.3 |
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →
D
66 Score
Palm Desert, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$544,379
Population
51,951
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
28
Pacific
View Palm Desert, CA →
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