Costa Mesa CA vs Lakewood CO — 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
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 156,309 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 76.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
9.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $85,789 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $51,218 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Costa Mesa +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Costa Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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