Costa Mesa, CA vs Irvine, 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.
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 44). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 25.8 min). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $104,981).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 108,354 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →
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