Costa Mesa, CA vs Rutherford, NJ
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
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Rutherford leads in crime level (1.6 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 33.5 min). Rutherford leads in cost of living index (146 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 108,354 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+3.4 |
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-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →
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