Costa Mesa CA vs New Haven CT — 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
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
31.9
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
17.7%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 132,893 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 30.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $53,771 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $34,482 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 25.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 28.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.2% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 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