Costa Mesa, CA vs Monterey, 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
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Monterey leads in crime level (10.5 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 53). Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 21.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 108,354 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 10.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+29.9 |
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-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →
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