Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carson, CA
VS
Santa Clara, CA
🏆 Santa Clara leads 14 of 22 categories
Carson
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$103,045
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High
Population
94,475
Santa Clara
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$165,352 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
128,058 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carson, CA
Pros
Homes cost $824k less ($616,000 vs $1,440,200)
Rent averages $1026/mo less ($1,815 vs $2,841)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 60°F
Cons
Median income trails Santa Clara by $62,307/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (2930.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.2%)
Santa Clara, CA
Pros
Households earn $62,307 more per year on average
57% less violent crime than Carson
More college-educated — 64.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,440,200
Higher rents — median is $2,841/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Property crime (2501.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Carson
Median Home Value
$824k less
$616,000 vs $1,440,200
Santa Clara
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 112.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Santa Clara
Median Income
$62,307
$165,352 vs $103,045/yr
Santa Clara
Violent Crime
57% lower
182.0 vs 420.0 per 100k
Santa Clara
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.9% unemployment
Santa Clara
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 80.8°F vs 76.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carson, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 112.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $616,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,440,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,815⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,841⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $103,045 | $165,352 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.6 min | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 21.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.7:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.6% | 64.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.3% | 94.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Long Beach Unified | Santa Clara Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.8°F ✓ Warmer | 59.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 76.9°F | 80.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 13.6" ✓ Drier | 15.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,475 | 128,058 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 41.3 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 19.5% ✓ More | 18.0% |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carson's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Santa Clara's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Santa Clara is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Santa Clara leads 14 of 22 categories. Carson wins 8 and Santa Clara wins 14. 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 Carson to Santa Clara or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($616,000 vs $1,440,200 median home), income ($103,045 vs $165,352), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carson, CA and Santa Clara, CA are about 321 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.