Costa Mesa, CA vs Laurel, MD
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
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Laurel leads in crime level (10.8 vs 20.2). Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 33.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 108,354 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+13.9 |
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
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →
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