Costa Mesa, CA vs Hickory, NC
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
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 28). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 197). Hickory leads in crime level (11.2 vs 20.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 108,354 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+38.0 |
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-
70.8 Score
Hickory, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$298,293
Population
44,415
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Hickory, NC →
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