Costa Mesa CA vs Garland TX — 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
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
245,298
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
31.2%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
37.5%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
11.2%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
45.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 245,298 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 45.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
$74,717
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
12.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $74,717 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,477 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 25.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
61.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Garland
442
Garland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Garland
2339
Garland +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 22.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.1% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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