Costa Mesa, CA vs Salem, MA
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
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 20.2). Salem leads in cost of living index (135 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 108,354 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+20.3 |
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+
68.6 Score
Salem, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$614,321
Population
44,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
70
Northeast
View Salem, MA →