Costa Mesa CA vs Montgomery AL — 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
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
63.0%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 198,440 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 27.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 63.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,687 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,068 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 46.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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%.
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