Arlington, VA 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.
Arlington
72.2
#917 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Arlington leads in median household income ($137,387 vs $104,981). Arlington leads in cost of living index (151 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 28.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 238,643 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Low | 20.2 |
| School Rating | 8.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+2.6 |
C-
72.2 Score
Arlington, VA
Urban walkability meets federal opportunity
Median Home
$815,538
Population
238,643
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southeast
View Arlington, VA →
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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