Costa Mesa CA vs Flint 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
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
2.9%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
34.4%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
56.6%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 80,835 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 56.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 0.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $36,194 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $20,799 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 13.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Flint
471
Flint +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 50.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 19.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 23.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 25.3% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Flint
31.7 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 31.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint 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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