Costa Mesa CA vs High Point NC — 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
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
14.2%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
46.1%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
8.2%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 115,263 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 46.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $61,228 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $34,492 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
58.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.2% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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