Brea, CA 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.
Brea
64.3
#1700 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Brea leads in crime level (5.8 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 31.1 min). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 50).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 48,479 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+2.6 |
D
64.3 Score
Brea, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,134,146
Population
48,479
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Brea, CA →
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 →