Costa Mesa, CA vs Puyallup, WA
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
Puyallup
62.8
#1824 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 32). Puyallup leads in crime level (10.3 vs 20.2). Puyallup leads in cost of living index (129 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Puyallup, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 62.8 (#1824) |
| Population | 108,354 | 42,179 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $573,027 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $90,592 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 32 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 10.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 129 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+10.8 |
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-
62.8 Score
Puyallup, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$573,027
Population
42,179
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
32
Pacific
View Puyallup, WA →
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