Costa Mesa, CA vs Fort Lee, 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
Fort Lee
71.1
#1021 nationally
Fort Lee leads in crime level (3.6 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 37.1 min). Fort Lee leads in cost of living index (135 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Lee, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 71.1 (#1021) |
| Population | 108,354 | 39,700 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $604,159 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $101,573 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 37.1 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 77 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 3.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 135 |
| 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-
71.1 Score
Fort Lee, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$604,159
Population
39,700
Crime
Low
Walk Score
77
Northeast
View Fort Lee, NJ →
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