Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Antioch, CA
VS
Carlsbad, CA
🏆 Carlsbad leads 16 of 22 categories
Antioch
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,709
Violent Crime Index
160⚠ High
Population
115,016 ✓ Larger
Carlsbad
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$134,139 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52 ✓ Safer
Population
114,745
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Antioch, CA
Pros
Homes cost $500k less ($570,900 vs $1,070,500)
Rent averages $327/mo less ($2,150 vs $2,477)
Cons
Median income trails Carlsbad by $43,430/yr
Violent crime (606.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Property crime (3193.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Carlsbad, CA
Pros
67% less violent crime than Antioch
Households earn $43,430 more per year on average
More college-educated — 59.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Violent crime is well below the national average (199.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (6.0%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,070,500
Higher rents — median is $2,477/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Antioch
Median Home Value
$500k less
$570,900 vs $1,070,500
Antioch
Summer Heat
17.2°F warmer
July avg high 91.4°F vs 74.2°F
Carlsbad
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 111.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Carlsbad
Median Income
$43,430
$134,139 vs $90,709/yr
Carlsbad
Violent Crime
67% lower
199.1 vs 606.8 per 100k
Carlsbad
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Antioch, CA | Carlsbad, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $570,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,070,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,150⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,477⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $90,709 | $134,139 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 44.9 min⚠ High | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 24.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High | 52 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 152⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.0% | 59.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.6% | 95.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Antioch Unified | Carlsbad Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.7°F | 65.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F ✓ Warmer | 74.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.6" | 11.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 115,016 ✓ Larger | 114,745 |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 62.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.8% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 17.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Antioch's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Carlsbad's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Carlsbad is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carlsbad leads 16 of 22 categories. Antioch wins 6 and Carlsbad wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Antioch to Carlsbad or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($570,900 vs $1,070,500 median home), income ($90,709 vs $134,139), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Antioch, CA and Carlsbad, CA are about 420 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.