San Diego, 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.
San Diego
65.3
#1643 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
San Diego leads in walk score (52 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 165). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $89,457).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.3 (#1643) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 1,388,320 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $994,682 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $89,457 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 25.4 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 20 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 4.0 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+25.6 |
D
65.3 Score
San Diego, CA
America's Finest City
Median Home
$994,682
Population
1,388,320
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Diego, 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 →
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