Costa Mesa CA vs Gainesville FL — 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
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
26.5
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
6.2%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 143,611 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 26.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
51.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $45,611 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,282 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 28.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 51.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 38.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 31.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 21.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.8% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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