Costa Mesa CA vs Nashua NH — 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
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
16.4%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 91,131 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 75.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
$50,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $92,457 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $50,026 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $75,331 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 56.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.9% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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