Costa Mesa, CA vs Santee, CA
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
Santee
63.4
#1773 nationally
Santee leads in crime level (7.0 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 35). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 28.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Santee, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 63.4 (#1773) |
| Population | 108,354 | 59,478 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $795,105 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $101,777 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 28.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 7.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 154 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+16.8 |
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
63.4 Score
Santee, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$795,105
Population
59,478
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
35
Pacific
View Santee, CA →
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