Costa Mesa CA vs Milwaukee 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
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 569,756 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,888 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,679 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 41.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.3% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee 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