Costa Mesa CA vs Downey CA — 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
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
34.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
39.4%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
21.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
95.6%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 114,617 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 39.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 21.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 0.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 95.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
$68,378
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Downey
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $68,378 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $23,265 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 10.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Downey
$888,820
Downey +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $888,820 | Downey + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 33.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Downey
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Downey
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, 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
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Downey
27.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Downey
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Downey
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Downey
9.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 27.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.9% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
14.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Downey
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, 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
Costa Mesa
N/A
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $888,820. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Downey 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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