Costa Mesa CA vs Kansas City KS — 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
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 154,776 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $59,183 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,059 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 60.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 41.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 18.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 18.3% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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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