2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Novato, CA vs Encinitas, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Encinitas older or younger than people in Novato?
- The Median Age in Encinitas is 5.4 years younger than in Novato.

Are housing costs cheaper in Encinitas or Novato?
- Encinitas housing costs are 47.0% more expensive than Novato housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Encinitas or Novato?
- The average commute for residents of Encinitas is 7.1 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Novato.

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.

Things to do in Encinitas?
Encinitas, California is a picturesque beach town located in San Diego County. This beach community offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the beaches of Moonlight State Beach or one of many popular restaurants, shops and boutiques. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Swami's State Park, Ecke Sports Park and La Paloma park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Encinitas their home.

 Novato, CAEncinitas, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,140329,725,481
 Median Income$107,975  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,052,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time32.59  Unlock26.38
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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Reviews for Encinitas    14 Reviews

I've lived in many different neighborhoods throughout San Diego over the years. They've all been coastal, from Pt. Loma, Pacific Beach, Del Mar, Solana Beach and  More

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Over 7 years ago

1. Horrible, nightmare traffic with lots of road rage drivers everywhere 2. Extremely high cost of living for small crappy houses / condos 3. Nothing to do, no  More

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Over 11 years ago

I have lived in many locations across the United States and the Caribbean and Encinitas is on my top list of places to live. The people are easy going and the pace  More

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