Chapel Hill, 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.
Chapel Hill
68.6
#1303 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Chapel Hill leads in crime level (4.7 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 34). Chapel Hill leads in cost of living index (133 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chapel Hill, NC | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1303) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 62,043 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $636,021 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $85,940 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 4.7 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.1 | D+2.6 |
D+
68.6 Score
Chapel Hill, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$636,021
Population
62,043
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Southeast
View Chapel Hill, 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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Chapel Hill for: