Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 77.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $1,416,645 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
9.7%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 25.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 17.9% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.7% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA