Costa Mesa, CA vs Laguna Beach, 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
Laguna Beach
64.3
#1701 nationally
Laguna Beach leads in crime level (4.6 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 43). Laguna Beach leads in median household income ($141,875 vs $104,981).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Laguna Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 64.3 (#1701) |
| Population | 108,354 | 22,332 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $3,056,376 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $141,875 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 27.4 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 4.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+2.6 |
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
64.3 Score
Laguna Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$3,056,376
Population
22,332
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Laguna Beach, CA →
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