Costa Mesa, CA vs Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
61.6
#1898 nationally
Pasadena leads in crime level (13.2 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 27.9 min). Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $97,818).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 61.6 (#1898) |
| Population | 108,354 | 133,560 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $1,206,740 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $97,818 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 27.9 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 69 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 13.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+32.9 |
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-
61.6 Score
Pasadena, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,206,740
Population
133,560
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Pasadena, CA →
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