Costa Mesa, CA vs Palo Alto, 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
Palo Alto
67.4
#1429 nationally
Palo Alto leads in crime level (5.8 vs 20.2). Palo Alto leads in median household income ($214,118 vs $104,981). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 23.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 67.4 (#1429) |
| Population | 108,354 | 65,882 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $3,599,324 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $214,118 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 23.9 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 5.8 |
| 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+40.0 |
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+
67.4 Score
Palo Alto, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$3,599,324
Population
65,882
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Palo Alto, CA →
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