Costa Mesa CA vs Las Cruces NM — 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
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
59.4%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 112,612 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 59.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,176 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,804 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Costa Mesa +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Costa Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 17.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.1% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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