Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Santa Clara, CA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Santa Clara leads 12 of 23 categories
Santa Clara
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$165,352 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
128,058
Washington
District of Columbia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$101,722
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Santa Clara, CA
Pros
80% less violent crime than Washington
Households earn $63,630 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (4.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 45°F
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
Washington, DC
Pros
Homes cost $735k less ($705,000 vs $1,440,200)
Rent averages $1024/mo less ($1,817 vs $2,841)
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Clara
Cons
Median income trails Santa Clara by $63,630/yr
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 4.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Santa Clara
Median Income
$63,630
$165,352 vs $101,722/yr
Santa Clara
Violent Crime
80% lower
182.0 vs 925.9 per 100k
Santa Clara
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
4.2% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Washington
Median Home Value
$735k less
$705,000 vs $1,440,200
Washington
Summer Heat
9.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 80.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Santa Clara, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.9⚠ High | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,440,200⚠ High | $705,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,841⚠ High | $1,817⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $165,352 ✓ Higher | $101,722 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 21.9% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 76 ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 48 ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 62.6% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Santa Clara Unified | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 80.8°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.6" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 128,058 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 18.0% | 18.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Clara's cost of living index is 112.9 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Washington is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Santa Clara leads 12 of 23 categories. Santa Clara wins 12 and Washington wins 11. 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 Santa Clara to Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,440,200 vs $705,000 median home), income ($165,352 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Santa Clara, CA and Washington, DC are about 2,420 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.