Cape Coral 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)
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Cape Coral
206,387
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $1,416,645 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Costa Mesa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.9% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, 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.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
Compare More Cities
Cape Coral, FL vs New York, NYCape Coral, FL vs Los Angeles, CACape Coral, FL vs Chicago, ILCape Coral, FL vs Houston, TXCape Coral, FL vs Phoenix, AZCape Coral, FL vs Philadelphia, PA