Costa Mesa CA vs Glendale CA — 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, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
192,270
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
51.0%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
67.4%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
13.3%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
18.5%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 192,270 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 41.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 51.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 67.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
$84,262
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
$46,597
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Glendale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
45.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $84,262 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $46,597 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Glendale
$1,205,826
Glendale +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $1,205,826 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 35.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Glendale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Glendale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Glendale
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Glendale
11.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
17.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,205,826. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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