Carlsbad, 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Carlsbad leads in crime level (5.5 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 31). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 113,495 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+2.6 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, 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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Carlsbad for: