Oakland, CA vs Somerville, MA
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
Somerville
67
#1480 nationally
Somerville leads in median household income ($120,778 vs $85,459). Somerville leads in walk score (89 vs 73). Oakland leads in cost of living index (155 vs 185).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Somerville, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62 (#1880) | 67 (#1480) |
| Population | 433,823 | 80,407 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $717,798 | $940,436 |
| Median Household Income | $85,459 | $120,778 |
| Average Commute | 32.1 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 89 |
| Crime Level | High | 6.1 |
| School Rating | 4.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 185 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+39.5 |
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 →
D+
67 Score
Somerville, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$940,436
Population
80,407
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
89
Northeast
View Somerville, MA →