Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carson, CA
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Carson leads 14 of 22 categories
Carson
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$103,045 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
94,475
Vallejo
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$86,112
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.
Carson, CA
Pros
43% less violent crime than Vallejo
Households earn $16,933 more per year on average
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 57°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Rent averages $79/mo less ($1,815 vs $1,894)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $616,000
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (2930.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Vallejo
Vallejo, CA
Pros
Homes cost $101k less ($515,500 vs $616,000)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Carson
Cons
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Carson by $16,933/yr
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 36.7 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Carson
Median Income
$16,933
$103,045 vs $86,112/yr
Carson
Violent Crime
43% lower
420.0 vs 739.8 per 100k
Vallejo
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 109.2 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Vallejo
Median Home Value
$101k less
$515,500 vs $616,000
Vallejo
Summer Heat
8.5°F warmer
July avg high 85.4°F vs 76.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carson, CA | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $616,000⚠ High | $515,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,815⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,894⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $103,045 ✓ Higher | $86,112 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.6 min ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 8.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.7:1 | 22.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.6% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 82.3% | 87.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Long Beach Unified | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.8°F ✓ Warmer | 57.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 76.9°F | 85.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 13.6" ✓ Drier | 21.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,475 | 125,132 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 41.3 ✓ Older | 40.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 58.7% |
| Under 18 | 19.5% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 17.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carson's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Vallejo is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carson leads 14 of 22 categories. Carson wins 14 and Vallejo wins 8. 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 Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($616,000 vs $515,500 median home), income ($103,045 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carson, CA and Vallejo, CA are about 370 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.