Oakland, 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.
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 32.1 min). Oakland leads in cost of living index (155 vs 225). Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 61).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62 (#1880) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 433,823 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $717,798 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $85,459 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 32.1 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 61 |
| Crime Level | High | 17.8 |
| School Rating | 4.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+26.7 |
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 →
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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