Costa Mesa, CA vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Wake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 108,354 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+25.6 |
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+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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