Costa Mesa CA vs Grand Island NE — 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

Grand Island, NE

Nebraska · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$254,245
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Grand Island
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Grand Island
14.8%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
50.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
26.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Grand Island
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Costa Mesa & Grand Island