Costa Mesa CA vs Madison WI — 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
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
11.6%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
73.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 275,568 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 73.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
2.7%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,983 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $48,557 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 32.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.2% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | 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
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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%.
Compare More Cities
Costa Mesa, CA vs New York, NYCosta Mesa, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Costa Mesa, CACosta Mesa, CA vs Houston, TXCosta Mesa, CA vs Phoenix, AZCosta Mesa, CA vs Philadelphia, PA