2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Palo Alto, CA vs Arcata, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Arcata older or younger than people in Palo Alto?
- The Median Age in Arcata is 14.9 years younger than in Palo Alto.

Are housing costs cheaper in Arcata or Palo Alto?
- Arcata housing costs are 85.7% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Arcata or Palo Alto?
- The average commute for residents of Arcata is 7.2 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Palo Alto.

Things to do in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto, California is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to Stanford University and various tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, it has long been known as the epicenter for cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking. Residents here enjoy warm weather year round, excellent public schools, a thriving nightlife scene, plus vast amounts of green space perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding. There's also no shortage of culture with world class museums and galleries showcasing some of the area’s most celebrated artworks. With its abundant resources and booming economy, Palo Alto truly offers something for everyone!

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.

 Palo Alto, CAArcata, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock19,038329,725,481
 Median Income$194,782  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$3,107,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time24.23  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very  More

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Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  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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