Novato, CA vs Oakland, 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.
Novato
61.2
#1914 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 36). Novato leads in median household income ($110,948 vs $85,459). Oakland leads in cost of living index (155 vs 193).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Novato, CA | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.2 (#1914) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 51,722 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,078,032 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $110,948 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 29.5 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 193 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+63.9 | D+53.6 |
D-
61.2 Score
Novato, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,078,032
Population
51,722
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
36
Pacific
View Novato, CA →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →