Cary, NC 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.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 28). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 180,010 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 20.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+2.6 |
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →
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 →