Costa Mesa CA vs Hartford CT — 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
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
23.0%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
44.8%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 119,970 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 23.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 26.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 36.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 44.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $45,300 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $27,319 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 25.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 18.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 25.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 40.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 20.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.3% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 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