Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Chandler
62.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 62.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $1,416,645 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
9.7%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.3% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 17.9% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.8% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.1% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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