Costa Mesa CA vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
650,873
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
20.9%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 650,873 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 20.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 34.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $70,723 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,421 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 32.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 17.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.6% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
5.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 5.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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