Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 54.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $1,416,645 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Costa Mesa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. 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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