Costa Mesa, CA vs Lake Elsinore, 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
Lake Elsinore
62.4
#1859 nationally
Lake Elsinore leads in crime level (4.7 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 25). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 42.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lake Elsinore, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 62.4 (#1859) |
| Population | 108,354 | 73,028 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $589,630 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $89,788 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 42.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 4.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 139 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+1.3 |
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-
62.4 Score
Lake Elsinore, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$589,630
Population
73,028
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
25
Pacific
View Lake Elsinore, CA →
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