2025 Compare Cities Overview:
San Carlos, CA vs Novato, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Novato older or younger than people in San Carlos?
- The Median Age in Novato is 7.1 years older than in San Carlos.

Are housing costs cheaper in Novato or San Carlos?
- Novato housing costs are 50.0% less expensive than San Carlos housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Novato or San Carlos?
- The average commute for residents of Novato is 3.8 minutes longer than it is for residents of San Carlos.

Things to do in San Carlos?
San Carlos, CA is located in San Mateo County and is known for its quiet residential streets enhanced by vibrant downtown business district. Residents can enjoy many outdoor activities such as sailing or golfing nearby.

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.

 San Carlos, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock53,214329,725,481
 Median Income$204,570  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock48.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$2,103,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time28.75  Unlock26.38
Reviews for San Carlos    1 Reviews

Over 18 years ago

I have lived in San Carlos for over 15 years and absolutely love it! There is a great mix of age groups and it is becoming more ethnically diverse. Kids play on my  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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