Laurel, MD vs San Jose, 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 Jose
63
#1807 nationally
Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 198). San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $92,035). San Jose leads in average commute (28.4 min vs 33.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Laurel, MD | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1547) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 29,400 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $478,130 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $92,035 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 33.5 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 10.8 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+40.0 |
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
63 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →