Costa Mesa, CA vs Independence, KY
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
Independence
77
#288 nationally
Independence leads in crime level (0.7 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 11). Independence leads in cost of living index (96 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Independence, KY |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 77 (#288) |
| Population | 108,354 | 29,503 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $331,613 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $92,355 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 27.4 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 11 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 0.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+21.7 |
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 →
C+
77 Score
Independence, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$331,613
Population
29,503
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
Southeast
View Independence, KY →
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