Costa Mesa, CA vs Raleigh, NC
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
Raleigh
71
#1035 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 31). Raleigh leads in cost of living index (105 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in crime level (20.2 vs 32.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 71 (#1035) |
| Population | 108,354 | 470,763 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $435,237 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $82,424 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 31 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 32.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+25.6 |
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-
71 Score
Raleigh, NC
Research Triangle innovation hub
Median Home
$435,237
Population
470,763
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Southeast
View Raleigh, NC →
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