Costa Mesa, CA vs Elmhurst, 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
Elmhurst
73.4
#734 nationally
Elmhurst leads in crime level (1.6 vs 20.2). Elmhurst leads in cost of living index (135 vs 197). Elmhurst leads in median household income ($143,492 vs $104,981).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Elmhurst, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 73.4 (#734) |
| Population | 108,354 | 45,336 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $647,169 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $143,492 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+13.3 |
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
73.4 Score
Elmhurst, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$647,169
Population
45,336
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Elmhurst, IL →
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