Costa Mesa CA vs Henderson NV — 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
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
324,523
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
14.1%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
64.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
6.2%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
9.5%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 324,523 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 64.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
$88,654
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
$49,141
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Henderson
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
36.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $88,654 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,141 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 36.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Henderson
$487,098
Henderson +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
65.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $487,098 | Henderson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 65.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Henderson
460
Henderson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Henderson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Henderson
28.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Henderson
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Henderson
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Henderson
12.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 28.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.8% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | 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
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,098. On public safety, Henderson is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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