Costa Mesa CA vs Jacksonville FL — 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
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
961,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 961,739 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,981 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,269 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.8% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 70.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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