Baltimore, MD 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.
Baltimore
75.5
#444 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in crime level (20.2 vs 44.0). Baltimore leads in cost of living index (108 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $58,349).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.5 (#444) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 565,239 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $189,754 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 64 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 44.0 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+2.6 |
C
75.5 Score
Baltimore, MD
Major Maryland city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$189,754
Population
565,239
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
64
Northeast
View Baltimore, MD →
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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