Costa Mesa, CA vs Kannapolis, NC
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
Kannapolis
74.2
#618 nationally
Kannapolis leads in crime level (4.6 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 22). Kannapolis leads in cost of living index (97 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kannapolis, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 74.2 (#618) |
| Population | 108,354 | 59,321 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $282,200 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $66,487 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 22 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 4.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+7.7 |
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
74.2 Score
Kannapolis, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$282,200
Population
59,321
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
22
Southeast
View Kannapolis, NC →
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