2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Castro Valley, CA vs Novato, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Novato older or younger than people in Castro Valley?
- The Median Age in Novato is 5.7 years older than in Castro Valley.

Are housing costs cheaper in Novato or Castro Valley?
- Novato housing costs are 0.4% more expensive than Castro Valley housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Novato or Castro Valley?
- The average commute for residents of Novato is 1.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Castro Valley.

Things to do in Castro Valley?
Castro Valley, California is a thriving community located in the heart of Alameda County. This vibrant city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as historic Redwood Canyon or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Lake Chabot Regional Park, Cull Canyon Regional Park, and Castro Valley Community Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Castro Valley their home.

Things to do in Novato?
Novato, California is located in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Novato is home to nearly 56,000 people and offers a mix of rural and urban attractions. Residents enjoy outdoor activities such as Mt. Burdell Open Space Preserve and the Novato Arts Center for its art galleries, plays, and music events. Novato also boasts several shopping destinations in addition to top-notch schools, hospitals and services. With its combination of small-town charm, big-city amenities and access to pristine natural beauty, Novato provides an excellent place to call home.

 Castro Valley, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock53,214329,725,481
 Median Income$124,203  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock48.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,047,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time34.12  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Castro Valley    7 Reviews

CURMUDGEON - THANK YOU for your post. The most important part of your comment is your second paragraph. "Hodge-Podge" is the correct word for a lot of Castro  More

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Over 11 years ago

Kind of rural but close to Oakland and San  More

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Castro Valley is the largest unincorporated "city" in the Bay Area. Over the years, several attempts have been made to incorporate, but they have all been defeated at  More

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Reviews for Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

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Over 10 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

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Over 11 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

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