Costa Mesa, CA vs Petaluma, 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
Petaluma
63.2
#1792 nationally
Petaluma leads in crime level (7.4 vs 20.2). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 30.5 min). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 47).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Petaluma, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 63.2 (#1792) |
| Population | 108,354 | 58,800 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $903,171 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $108,527 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 7.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+46.2 |
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
63.2 Score
Petaluma, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$903,171
Population
58,800
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Petaluma, CA →
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