Los Altos, CA vs Santa Barbara, 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.
Los Altos
67.9
#1370 nationally
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Los Altos leads in crime level (2.1 vs 17.8). Los Altos leads in median household income ($250,001 vs $98,346). Santa Barbara leads in walk score (61 vs 46).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Los Altos, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.9 (#1370) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 29,990 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $4,601,729 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $250,001 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 46 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 2.1 | 17.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | N/A | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+40.0 | D+26.7 |
D+
67.9 Score
Los Altos, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$4,601,729
Population
29,990
Crime
Low
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Los Altos, CA →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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