Costa Mesa, CA vs Seaside, 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
Seaside
63.7
#1750 nationally
Seaside leads in crime level (14.1 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $80,239). Seaside leads in cost of living index (158 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Seaside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 63.7 (#1750) |
| Population | 108,354 | 31,317 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $800,284 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $80,239 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 14.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+29.9 |
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
63.7 Score
Seaside, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$800,284
Population
31,317
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Seaside, CA →
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