Laurel, MD vs San Diego, 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.
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
San Diego
65.3
#1643 nationally
Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 165). San Diego leads in average commute (25.4 min vs 33.5 min). Laurel leads in median household income ($92,035 vs $89,457).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Laurel, MD | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1547) | 65.3 (#1643) |
| Population | 29,400 | 1,388,320 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $478,130 | $994,682 |
| Median Household Income | $92,035 | $89,457 |
| Average Commute | 33.5 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 10.8 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+16.8 |
D
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →
D
65.3 Score
San Diego, CA
America's Finest City
Median Home
$994,682
Population
1,388,320
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Diego, CA →
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