2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Mountain View, CA vs Arcata, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Arcata older or younger than people in Mountain View?
- The Median Age in Arcata is 8.5 years younger than in Mountain View.

Are housing costs cheaper in Arcata or Mountain View?
- Arcata housing costs are 75.0% less expensive than Mountain View housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Arcata or Mountain View?
- The average commute for residents of Arcata is 6.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Mountain View.

Things to do in Mountain View?
Mountain View, California offers a unique mix between traditional landmarks such as Moffett's Hangar One or the NASA Ames Research Center for any aerospace aficionado combined with modern attractions such as Shoreline Amphitheater or GooglePlex.

Things to do in Arcata?
Nestled on California’s North Coast just south of Eureka, Arcata offers visitors an array of natural beauty from redwood forests to rugged coastline along with world-class dining experiences like the Alice Copper Restaurant & Brewery. The city hosts a variety of cultural attractions year round from art galleries to live music venues making it a great destination for everyone.

 Mountain View, CAArcata, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock19,038329,725,481
 Median Income$158,104  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,773,700  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.01  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Mountain View    15 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

It’s  More

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I've lived here 25 years. Perfect climate. Very central for employment opportunities. Really great schools. 45 min to San Fran, 45 min to Santa Cruz beach. Shoreline  More

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Over 15 years ago

I was born and raised in Mountain View. I used to really like this city, and California. Unfortunately, the city (along with the state) has been over run with high  More

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Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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