Costa Mesa CA vs Gastonia NC — 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
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 81,632 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 55.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,554 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,611 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.6% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
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