Costa Mesa CA vs Jersey City NJ — 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
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
41.3%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
25.8%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 289,691 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 41.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 28.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 25.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 25.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $94,813 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $57,746 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 53.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 28.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 26.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.3% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Costa Mesa +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 40.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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