Costa Mesa CA vs Fontana 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
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
32.0%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
43.1%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
1.2%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
36.5%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
17.4%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 56,358 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 43.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 32.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 43.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
$111,797
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
$48,238
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Fontana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
44.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $111,797 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $48,238 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Fontana
$641,894
Fontana +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
66.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $641,894 | Fontana + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 66.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Fontana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Fontana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, 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 +
Fontana
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Fontana
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Fontana
11.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 16.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, 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
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $641,894. On public safety, Fontana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Fontana 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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