Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norwalk, CA
VS
San Leandro, CA
🏆 Norwalk leads 13 of 22 categories
Norwalk
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$91,259
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
101,893 ✓ Larger
San Leandro
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,141 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High
Population
89,723
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norwalk, CA
Pros
32% less violent crime than San Leandro
Homes cost $180k less ($593,100 vs $772,700)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 58°F
Rent averages $137/mo less ($1,860 vs $1,997)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than San Leandro
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Median income trails San Leandro by $5,882/yr
San Leandro, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 32.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 72°F vs 84°F
Households earn $5,882 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (548.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $772,700
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Property crime (3922.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Norwalk
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 115.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Norwalk
Violent Crime
32% lower
374.4 vs 548.7 per 100k
Norwalk
Median Home Value
$180k less
$593,100 vs $772,700
Norwalk
Summer Heat
12.8°F warmer
July avg high 84.4°F vs 71.6°F
San Leandro
Median Income
$5,882
$97,141 vs $91,259/yr
San Leandro
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | San Leandro, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $593,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $772,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,860⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,997⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $91,259 | $97,141 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 11.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 161⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ Safer | 144⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 93 ✓ Safer | 187⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B- (92) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.8:1 | 21.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.0% | 32.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 76.8% | 84.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norwalk-La Mirada Unified | San Leandro Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer | 57.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.4°F ✓ Warmer | 71.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.2" ✓ Drier | 18.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,893 ✓ Larger | 89,723 |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% ✓ Higher | 57.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norwalk's cost of living index is 115.5 vs San Leandro's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Norwalk is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 13 of 22 categories. Norwalk wins 13 and San Leandro wins 9. 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 Norwalk to San Leandro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($593,100 vs $772,700 median home), income ($91,259 vs $97,141), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norwalk, CA and San Leandro, CA are about 348 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.