Costa Mesa CA vs Indianapolis IN — 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
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
882,043
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 882,043 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 53.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,995 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,194 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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