Alton, IL 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.
Alton
77.1
#275 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Alton leads in cost of living index (84 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $49,439). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, IL | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#275) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 25,006 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $105,039 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $49,439 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+2.6 |
C+
77.1 Score
Alton, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$105,039
Population
25,006
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Alton, IL →
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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