Orinda, CA vs Wake Forest, NC
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.
Orinda
60
#1942 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Orinda leads in crime level (1.6 vs 4.0). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 275). Wake Forest leads in walk score (20 vs 9).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Orinda, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60 (#1942) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 19,364 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,987,799 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $250,001 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 35.6 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 9 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 1.6 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 275 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | D+25.6 |
D-
60 Score
Orinda, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,987,799
Population
19,364
Crime
Low
Walk Score
9
Pacific
View Orinda, CA →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →