Costa Mesa CA vs Fort Collins CO — 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
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
30.6
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 169,705 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 30.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
59.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $83,598 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $46,341 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 59.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $568,389 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 52.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Costa Mesa +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Costa Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Fort Collins
9.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.9% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
Compare More Cities
Costa Mesa, CA vs New York, NYCosta Mesa, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Costa Mesa, CACosta Mesa, CA vs Houston, TXCosta Mesa, CA vs Phoenix, AZCosta Mesa, CA vs Philadelphia, PA