Corona 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Corona
41.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Corona
5.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Corona +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $1,416,645 | Corona + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Costa Mesa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Costa Mesa
2388
Tie
| Metric | Corona, 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
Corona
35.1%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Corona +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.9% | Corona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.1% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | 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.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, 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
Corona
38.4 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,560. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Corona. 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%.
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