Costa Mesa, CA vs Los Altos, 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
Los Altos
67.9
#1370 nationally
Los Altos leads in crime level (2.1 vs 20.2). Los Altos leads in median household income ($250,001 vs $104,981). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 46).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Los Altos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 67.9 (#1370) |
| Population | 108,354 | 29,990 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $4,601,729 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $250,001 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 2.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+40.0 |
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 →
D+
67.9 Score
Los Altos, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$4,601,729
Population
29,990
Crime
Low
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Los Altos, CA →
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