Boston, MA 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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 30.2 min). Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $81,744). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 65).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 684,379 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 20.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+2.6 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
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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