Living in Costa Mesa, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Costa Mesa · Census data 2020–2024
Costa Mesa has 110,330 residents with a median age of 36.7. The median household income is $111,505 (12% higher than the California median), the median home value is $1,115,100, the median rent is $2,446/month.
Costa Mesa at a glance
- Population
- 110,330
- Median age
- 36.7State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $111,505State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,115,100State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,446/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 39.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 45%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Costa Mesa a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 12% higher than the California median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.7%; a poverty rate of 9.1%.
Cons: Home values 52% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June–July and September–October.
Cost of living in Costa Mesa
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Costa Mesa the median home value is $1,115,100, 235% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,446 per month, which is 31.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,315 a month in housing costs.
Costa Mesa median household income
The median household income in Costa Mesa is $111,505 and the income per person is $59,742. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Costa Mesa: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 44,427
- Owner-occupied
- 39.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 60.4%
- Vacant
- 4.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.56
Costa Mesa demographics
- Population
- 110,330
- Median age
- 36.7
- Under 18
- 18.5%
- 65 and older
- 13.2%
- Households
- 42,292
- Foreign-born
- 22.3%
- Veterans
- 3.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Costa Mesa ›
Education in Costa Mesa
45% of adults 25 and older in Costa Mesa have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 13.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Costa Mesa
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 22.2%
- Drive alone
- 62.4%
- Public transit
- 1.6%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.8%
Costa Mesa vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | $1,115,100 | $2,446 |
| Fountain Valley | 56,258 | $115,237 | $1,072,300 | $2,631 |
| Newport Beach | 83,845 | $156,867 | $2,000,001 | $3,316 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | $713,000 | $2,082 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | $1,100,000 | $2,510 |
| Midway City | 7,999 | $66,635 | $788,600 | $1,611 |
| Tustin | 78,981 | $112,503 | $950,400 | $2,449 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | $858,300 | $2,168 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | $1,191,500 | $2,997 |
More for people moving to Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Costa Mesa: FAQ
What is the median household income in Costa Mesa, CA?
The median household income in Costa Mesa is $111,505, 12% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Costa Mesa?
The median home value in Costa Mesa is $1,115,100, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Costa Mesa?
The median gross rent in Costa Mesa is $2,446 per month, about 31.3% of household income.
Is Costa Mesa, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 12% higher than the California median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.7%; a poverty rate of 9.1%. Minuses: home values 52% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Costa Mesa?
The median age in Costa Mesa is 36.7 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Costa Mesa?
The average commute to work in Costa Mesa is 22 minutes; 22.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Costa Mesa?
The unemployment rate in Costa Mesa is 4.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Costa Mesa?
45% of adults in Costa Mesa have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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