Appleton, WI 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.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Appleton leads in crime level (5.5 vs 20.2). Appleton leads in cost of living index (94 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 74,719 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | D+2.6 |
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
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 →
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