Albany, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Albany leads in crime level (3.8 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 31.7 min). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 65).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 19,097 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+2.6 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
D-
60.6 Score
Costa Mesa, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,424,322
Population
108,354
Crime
High
Walk Score
65
Pacific
View Costa Mesa, CA →
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