Signals
East Palo Alto
Hercules
Opportunity
59 · Top 44%
vs53 · Bottom 44%
Climate
89 · Top 8%
vs89 · Top 8%
Physical resilience
29 · Bottom 23%
vs23 · Bottom 17%
Housing affordability
42 · Bottom 5%
vs50 · Bottom 10%
Access
97 · Top 22%
vs92 · Top 48%
Economic stability
63 · Top 44%
vs73 · Top 23%
Measured values
| Metric | East Palo Alto | Hercules | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,069 | 26,302 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $113,493 | $129,397 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,301 | $55,501 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 11,499/sq mi | 4,101/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,102,600 | $769,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,244 | $2,991 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 49.1% | 79.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.9% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.8% | 46.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 5.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 77°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 42°F | 41°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 13.4" | 16.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 13 mi | 21 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.7 min | 41.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.3 | 43.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
East Palo Alto
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, inland flooding.
Hercules
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, inland flooding.
Your best match
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East Palo Alto
55
Your Score
49
Area Score
Hercules
63
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: East Palo Alto, CA · Hercules, CA · How this is calculated: methodology