Carrboro, NC 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.
Carrboro
70.3
#1110 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Carrboro leads in crime level (4.9 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 29). Carrboro leads in cost of living index (126 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carrboro, NC | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.3 (#1110) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 21,103 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $429,889 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $76,933 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 4.9 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.1 | D+2.6 |
C-
70.3 Score
Carrboro, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$429,889
Population
21,103
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Southeast
View Carrboro, NC →
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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