Cambridge, MA 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.
Cambridge
70.6
#1085 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 65). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 27.8 min). Cambridge leads in cost of living index (172 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1085) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 117,090 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,055,780 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $115,892 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 87 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Low | 20.2 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 172 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+2.6 |
C-
70.6 Score
Cambridge, MA
Academic powerhouse across the Charles
Median Home
$1,055,780
Population
117,090
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Northeast
View Cambridge, MA →
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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