San Mateo, CA vs Walnut Creek, 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.
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Walnut Creek
61.4
#1910 nationally
San Mateo leads in walk score (68 vs 41). Walnut Creek leads in cost of living index (197 vs 249). San Mateo leads in average commute (28.5 min vs 35.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Mateo, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63 (#1808) | 61.4 (#1910) |
| Population | 101,327 | 69,152 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,685,162 | $1,032,096 |
| Median Household Income | $149,152 | $129,971 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 249 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.3 | D+38.0 |
D
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
D-
61.4 Score
Walnut Creek, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,032,096
Population
69,152
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Walnut Creek, CA →
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