Costa Mesa, CA vs Plano, TX
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
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Plano leads in cost of living index (107 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 39). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 27.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Plano, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 72.6 (#865) |
| Population | 108,354 | 287,339 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $499,723 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $99,936 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+11.2 |
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 →
C-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →