Costa Mesa, CA vs Vista, 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
Vista
63.3
#1784 nationally
Vista leads in crime level (8.7 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 46). Vista leads in cost of living index (158 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 63.3 (#1784) |
| Population | 108,354 | 98,344 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $879,716 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $88,715 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 8.7 |
| 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+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
63.3 Score
Vista, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$879,716
Population
98,344
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Vista, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Costa Mesa for: