Costa Mesa, CA vs Federal Way, WA
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
Federal Way
61.8
#1889 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 38). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 33.3 min). Federal Way leads in cost of living index (133 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Federal Way, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 61.8 (#1889) |
| Population | 108,354 | 97,701 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $598,030 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $80,360 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 33.3 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 14.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+51.7 |
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-
61.8 Score
Federal Way, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$598,030
Population
97,701
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Pacific
View Federal Way, WA →
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