San Rafael, CA vs Seaside, 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 Rafael
58.5
#1954 nationally
Seaside
63.7
#1750 nationally
San Rafael leads in median household income ($113,839 vs $80,239). Seaside leads in cost of living index (158 vs 213). Seaside leads in average commute (21.8 min vs 27.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Rafael, CA | Seaside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 58.5 (#1954) | 63.7 (#1750) |
| Population | 59,555 | 31,317 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,332,023 | $800,284 |
| Median Household Income | $113,839 | $80,239 |
| Average Commute | 27.5 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 15.3 | 14.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 213 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+63.9 | D+29.9 |
F
58.5 Score
San Rafael, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,332,023
Population
59,555
Crime
High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View San Rafael, CA →
D
63.7 Score
Seaside, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$800,284
Population
31,317
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Seaside, CA →