Costa Mesa, CA vs Hayward, 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
Hayward
61.7
#1891 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 34.2 min). Hayward leads in crime level (13.1 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 57).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 61.7 (#1891) |
| Population | 108,354 | 155,675 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $831,558 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $105,371 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 34.2 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 13.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+53.6 |
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-
61.7 Score
Hayward, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$831,558
Population
155,675
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
57
Pacific
View Hayward, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Costa Mesa for: