Clearwater 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 70.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $1,416,645 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Costa Mesa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.9% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Clearwater 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%.
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