Costa Mesa, CA vs Jersey City, 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
Jersey City
66.9
#1486 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 35.8 min). Jersey City leads in cost of living index (128 vs 197). Jersey City leads in walk score (86 vs 65).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 66.9 (#1486) |
| Population | 108,354 | 292,449 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $670,166 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $87,961 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 35.8 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 86 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 128 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+28.1 |
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
66.9 Score
Jersey City, NJ
Manhattan views without Manhattan prices
Median Home
$670,166
Population
292,449
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C+
Northeast
View Jersey City, NJ →
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