Costa Mesa CA vs Detroit MI — 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
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
636,644
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
5.9%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
76.8%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 636,644 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 76.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $39,575 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $24,029 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 31.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 17.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 45.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 19.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 22.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.8% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 31.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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