Costa Mesa CA vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 508,233 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 57.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 25.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,449 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $40,112 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 38.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.6% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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