Charlottesville, VA 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.
Charlottesville
70.1
#1130 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Charlottesville leads in crime level (9.8 vs 20.2). Charlottesville leads in cost of living index (122 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $67,177).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlottesville, VA | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1130) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 44,983 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,903 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $67,177 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 17 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 58 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 9.8 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+68.7 | D+2.6 |
C-
70.1 Score
Charlottesville, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$522,903
Population
44,983
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
58
Northeast
View Charlottesville, VA →
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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