Costa Mesa CA vs Norfolk VA — 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
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 235,037 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,017 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,433 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 39.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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