Austin, TX 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.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 42). Austin leads in cost of living index (129 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 26.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 967,862 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 20.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+2.6 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
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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