Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Arden-Arcade leads 14 of 21 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,479
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
96,076
Vallejo
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,112 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
125,132 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
30% less violent crime than Vallejo
Rent averages $509/mo less ($1,385 vs $1,894)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Homes cost $49k less ($466,300 vs $515,500)
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Vallejo by $21,633/yr
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 7.0%)
Vallejo, CA
Pros
Households earn $21,633 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (7.0%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 94°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,894/mo
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $515,500
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Violent Crime
30% lower
518.1 vs 739.8 per 100k
Arden-Arcade
Median Home Value
$49k less
$466,300 vs $515,500
Arden-Arcade
Summer Heat
9.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 85.4°F
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 108.9 on the COL index
Vallejo
Median Income
$21,633
$86,112 vs $64,479/yr
Vallejo
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
7.0% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $515,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,894⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 | $86,112 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 7.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F | 57.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 85.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" | 21.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 125,132 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 58.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 16.6% | 17.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Arden-Arcade is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Arden-Arcade leads 14 of 21 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 14 and Vallejo wins 7. 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 Arden-Arcade to Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $515,500 median home), income ($64,479 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Vallejo, CA are about 59 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.