Anchorage, AK vs Costa Mesa, 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.
Anchorage
64.2
#1706 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 31). Anchorage leads in cost of living index (132 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in crime level (20.2 vs 27.8).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.2 (#1706) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 286,075 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,357 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $95,731 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 27.8 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 132 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+12.7 | D+2.6 |
Data coverage note: Anchorage is missing data for 1 metric that Costa Mesa has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D
64.2 Score
Anchorage, AK
Growing Alaska city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$425,357
Population
286,075
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Anchorage, AK →
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 →