Costa Mesa CA vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Costa Mesa, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,416,645
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
713,734
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
13.9%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
62.9%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 713,734 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 62.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 27.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
$61,202
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Denver
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $91,681 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $61,202 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 55.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $541,899 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Costa Mesa +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Costa Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 25.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.2% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
Compare More Cities
Costa Mesa, CA vs New York, NYCosta Mesa, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Costa Mesa, CACosta Mesa, CA vs Houston, TXCosta Mesa, CA vs Phoenix, AZCosta Mesa, CA vs Philadelphia, PA