Costa Mesa CA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
29.1%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 11,627 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 29.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 52.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 34.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
64.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $137,873 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $57,003 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 64.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
86.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 86.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 17.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 22.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.4% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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