Allen TX vs Costa Mesa CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Costa Mesa, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,416,645
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Allen
55.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Allen
10.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $1,416,645 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Costa Mesa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Costa Mesa
9.7%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.3% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.9% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.8% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.1% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.7% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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