Costa Mesa, CA vs Des Plaines, IL
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
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 20.2). Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 29.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Des Plaines, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 76.4 (#348) |
| Population | 108,354 | 58,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $360,725 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $86,552 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 29.9 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C
76.4 Score
Des Plaines, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,725
Population
58,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
57
Midwest
View Des Plaines, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Costa Mesa for: