Costa Mesa, CA vs Encinitas, 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
Encinitas
63.4
#1769 nationally
Encinitas leads in crime level (5.9 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 43). Encinitas leads in median household income ($142,506 vs $104,981).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Encinitas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 63.4 (#1769) |
| Population | 108,354 | 60,841 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $1,932,178 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $142,506 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 24.5 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 5.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 215 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+16.8 |
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
63.4 Score
Encinitas, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,932,178
Population
60,841
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Encinitas, CA →
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