Costa Mesa CA vs Glendale AZ — 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
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
271,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
35.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
9.6%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
72.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
3.4%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
6.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
17.5%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 271,118 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
$121,351
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
$49,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Glendale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
5.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
47.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $121,351 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,825 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 47.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
73.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $408,630 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Glendale
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Glendale
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Glendale
13.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 32.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.7% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 17.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.2% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | 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
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
28.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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