Costa Mesa CA vs Kirkland WA — 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
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 57,088 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 66.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $87,277 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,024 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Kirkland +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $1,274,801 | Kirkland + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Kirkland
18.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,274,801. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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