Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 65.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 0.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Chula Vista +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $1,416,645 | Chula Vista + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Costa Mesa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Costa Mesa
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Costa Mesa
9.7%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.9% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,245. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA