Costa Mesa, CA vs El Cerrito, 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.
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
El Cerrito
61.4
#1907 nationally
El Cerrito leads in crime level (13.1 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 32.6 min). El Cerrito leads in median household income ($120,414 vs $104,981).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | El Cerrito, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 61.4 (#1907) |
| Population | 108,354 | 25,552 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $1,149,856 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $120,414 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 32.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 13.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 202 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+38.0 |
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 →
D-
61.4 Score
El Cerrito, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,149,856
Population
25,552
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
67
Pacific
View El Cerrito, CA →
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