Costa Mesa CA vs Fargo ND — 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
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
32.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
9.7%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
80.8%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 129,064 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 80.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,029 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,212 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $71,089 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 43.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 21.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.8% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 22.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fargo
17.3 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 17.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 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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