Costa Mesa, CA vs Fair Lawn, NJ
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
Fair Lawn
73.1
#784 nationally
Fair Lawn leads in crime level (1.2 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 33.5 min). Fair Lawn leads in cost of living index (144 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fair Lawn, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 73.1 (#784) |
| Population | 108,354 | 35,564 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $739,017 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $141,540 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 1.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 144 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+3.4 |
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 →
C
73.1 Score
Fair Lawn, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$739,017
Population
35,564
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
60
Northeast
View Fair Lawn, NJ →
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