Costa Mesa CA vs Great Falls MT — 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
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
84.8%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 60,412 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 84.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,934 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,968 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
68.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 68.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Great Falls
16.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 16.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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