Costa Mesa, CA vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $65,891). Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.6 (#1929) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 108,354 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,424,322 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $104,981 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 21.9 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →
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