Costa Mesa, CA vs Evanston, 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
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
Evanston leads in crime level (3.9 vs 20.2). Evanston leads in cost of living index (131 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 29 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 74.7 (#562) |
| Population | 108,354 | 75,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $494,604 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $93,188 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 29 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 131 |
| 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
74.7 Score
Evanston, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$494,604
Population
75,070
Crime
Low
Walk Score
76
Midwest
View Evanston, IL →
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