Carlsbad, CA vs Mission Viejo, 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
Mission Viejo
66.1
#1585 nationally
Mission Viejo leads in crime level (2.7 vs 5.5). Mission Viejo leads in walk score (36 vs 31). Mission Viejo leads in cost of living index (190 vs 202).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Mission Viejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 66.1 (#1585) |
| Population | 113,495 | 90,624 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $1,216,985 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $136,570 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 27.3 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 2.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 190 |
| 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
66.1 Score
Mission Viejo, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,216,985
Population
90,624
Crime
Low
Walk Score
36
Pacific
View Mission Viejo, CA →
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