Antioch and Central Contra Costa are both vibrant parts of California, offering differing lifestyles and opportunities to both residents and tourists. While Antioch offers a suburban atmosphere paired with access to several recreational sites, Central Contra Costa boasts a slightly higher cost of living that's offset by its robust economy, better education system, and accessibility. This article will dive into each aspect of these cities to give a comprehensive comparison for individuals looking to relocate or visit, covering safety, weather, cost of living, education, economy, infrastructure, industries, employers, real-estate, neighborhoods, transportation, taxation, culture, sports, geography, and health care.
In terms of safety, Central Contra Costa generally has lower crime rates compared to Antioch. It's safer by approximately 30%, making it a more suitable place for families and people valuing safety. Antioch has been undertaking initiatives to enhance safety though, including implementing neighborhood watch programs and community policing strategies.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Central Contra Costa is generally higher compared to Antioch. This is largely driven by housing costs and the overall affluence of the area. However, many residents believe that the quality of life offered in Central Contra Costa offsets the increased costs.
Income Tax
California's high state income tax rates of up to 13.3% apply to both Antioch and Central Contra Costa, absent any city-specific income taxes.
Property Tax
Property taxes are also consistent across the two cities, with rates around 1% of assessed home value. Variations can occur due to voter-approved tax assessments for local services or improvements.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in both Central Contra Costa and Antioch is aligned with the California state average, standing at around 8.5%.
Income
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Estimated median household income
$127,452
$81,008
Estimated per capita income
$68,702
$36,202
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
139.1
118.1
If you make $50,000 in Antioch, you will have to make $58,891 in Central Contra Costa to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Antioch sits along the banks of the San Joaquin River, offering many recreational opportunities like fishing and boating. Central Contra Costa, bordered by a range of hills to the west and the Diablo Range to the east, offers picturesque landscapes and outdoor activities.
Geographical information
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Land area
261.3 sq. miles
26.9 sq. miles
Population density
1,863.4 people per sq. mile
4,259.8 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Central Contra Costa, CA Antioch, CA
Education
The education system in Central Contra Costa is rated higher than in Antioch. Schools in Central Contra Costa have higher average test scores, and there are more educational resources available for students. Antioch, however, has been investing in its school system, and the student to teacher ratio is lower than in Central Contra Costa.
Central Contra Costa enjoys a robust local economy with a diverse portfolio of businesses and industries. Job growth in the area is also promising. Antioch, while still developing economically, has a higher unemployment rate compared to Central Contra Costa.
Biggest Employers
Healthcare providers such as Kaiser Permanente and John Muir Health are major employers in Central Contra Costa. In Antioch, the school district and the city itself are significant employers.
Weather
Both Central Contra Costa and Antioch enjoy typical Californian weather - mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. However, Antioch tends to be hotter in the summer due to its interior location, while Central Contra Costa generally enjoys more moderate temperatures due to its close proximity to the coast.
Weather and climate
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Temperature - Average
59.1°F
60.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
82.2%
69.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29.3%
47.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
88.1%
86.4%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
58.8%
39.4%
Precipitation - Yearly average
21.8 in
15.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
27.7%
30%
Sunshine amount - Average
73.3%
76.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22.4%
28.8%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77.2%
81%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54.7%
52.2%
Wind speed - Average
11.1 mph
9 mph
Average climate in Central Contra Costa, California
Average climate in Antioch, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
2018
105
99
0.32
0.35
6.9
6.7
22.1
26.0
0.012
N/A
13.3
12.8
0.6
0.7
2017
102
96
0.30
0.35
7.0
6.0
25.9
26.9
0.008
N/A
11.9
11.0
0.7
1.2
2016
86
92
0.28
0.34
6.5
5.7
25.2
26.4
0.005
N/A
6.5
7.1
0.8
1.2
2015
94
95
0.34
0.36
7.6
6.4
25.8
26.6
0.004
N/A
8.8
9.0
0.5
0.8
2014
95
93
0.35
0.31
7.8
6.6
25.2
26.0
0.005
N/A
6.9
7.8
0.5
0.7
2013
93
91
0.34
0.31
9.3
8.0
21.5
23.9
0.004
N/A
7.8
8.7
0.5
0.5
2012
93
88
0.32
0.31
8.5
7.3
25.2
26.3
0.003
N/A
8.3
7.6
0.3
0.6
2011
99
92
0.35
0.32
9.0
7.7
23.0
23.9
0.003
N/A
9.8
9.1
0.6
0.8
2010
93
77
0.31
0.30
8.6
7.1
23.2
25.7
0.014
N/A
8.5
6.8
0.5
0.8
2009
104
98
0.31
0.28
9.5
7.9
23.7
25.7
0.006
N/A
10.3
8.5
0.6
0.8
2008
120
120
0.36
0.31
10.2
9.4
26.1
26.4
0.006
0.005
12.1
11.3
0.8
1.4
2007
104
104
0.36
0.33
10.7
9.4
24.1
25.3
0.006
N/A
9.7
9.6
0.7
1.6
2006
109
106
0.39
0.38
10.9
10.3
26.0
26.1
N/A
N/A
11.1
11.7
0.8
2.1
2005
104
102
0.43
0.37
11.6
10.2
22.7
23.5
N/A
N/A
10.4
10.7
1.0
2.1
2004
112
115
0.46
0.41
12.4
10.4
22.6
24.0
0.004
N/A
11.9
12.1
1.1
1.8
2003
84
83
0.51
0.44
13.4
11.3
23.1
25.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.7
1.9
2002
88
89
0.51
0.48
14.7
12.9
23.3
25.6
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.9
2.3
2001
90
89
0.56
0.49
15.4
13.1
22.1
25.0
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.2
2.3
2000
95
97
0.67
0.53
15.9
13.2
20.8
23.4
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
1.7
Natural disasters
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
9.4%
9.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,786.2%
7,899.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
18%
Transportation
Both cities offer robust public transportation, including BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) services. Central Contra Costa also offers easy access to major highways, while Antioch is known for its Antioch Bridge, a major commuting route.
Transport
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
0
20
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
1
Means of transportation to work
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Bicycle
0.5%
0.4%
Bus
1%
1%
Carpooled
9.9%
14.6%
Car alone
72.3%
79.3%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.3%
Railroad
0.8%
0.4%
Streetcar
0.1%
0.3%
Subway
7.7%
0%
Walked
1.5%
3.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Average
31.8 min
26 min
Real Estate
Property values in Central Contra Costa tend to be higher compared to Antioch, reflecting the higher cost of living in the area. However, the real-estate market in both areas is active, offering a variety of options for buyers and renters alike.
Neighborhoods
Central Contra Costa boasts a range of affluent, suburban neighborhoods that offer a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. Antioch provides a more urban setting, with diverse neighborhoods and a bustling city feel.
Houses and residents
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
Houses
183,777
37,650
Average household size (people)
2.5
3.2
Houses occupied
179,136 (97.5%)
37,081 (98.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
127,889 (71.4%)
23,652 (63.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
51,247 (28.6%)
13,429 (36.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,527
$1,529
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,269,474
$712,577
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$577,900
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.7
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.5
6.5
Renting percentage
30.3%
35.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
703.4
1,397.1
Household income disparities
35.9%
43.9%
Housing units without a mortgage
20,208 (18.2%)
474 (2.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
418 (0.4%)
1,540 (8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
90,899 (81.8%)
18,703 (97.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
13,612 (12.3%)
37 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,614 (12.3%)
1,716 (8.9%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.5%
0.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
22,217
2,484
State government workers
6,705
936
Unpaid family workers
617
660
Industries and Occupations
Central Contra Costa is home to a wide range of industries, from tech to healthcare, creating a favourable environment for diverse occupations. Antioch on the other hand is known for its shipping, manufacturing, and construction industries.
Health Care
Healthcare in Central Contra Costa is highly rated, with many top hospitals and medical centres. Antioch also offers quality healthcare services, though residents have relatively fewer choices compared to Central Contra Costa.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure in both cities is well developed and continually improving. Central Contra Costa, with its wealthier demographics, generally boasts better-maintained facilities and more public amenities. Conversely, Antioch, though less affluent, prioritizes public infrastructure projects.
Infrastructure
Type
Central Contra Costa
Antioch
TV stations
24
23
Culture and Food
Central Contra Costa boasts a diverse food scene, featuring high-end restaurants and local culinary delights. Antioch also offers a variety of dining options, along with hosting several multicultural festivals that celebrate the city's diversity.
Sports Teams
While neither Central Contra Costa nor Antioch are home to major sports teams, residents have easy access to the Bay Area's sports scene, including the Golden State Warriors (NBA), San Francisco 49ers (NFL), Oakland A's (MLB), and San Jose Sharks (NHL).
Central Contra Costa, CA
Antioch, CA
