Costa Mesa CA vs North Las Vegas NV — 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
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
26.0%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
11.4%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 186,178 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 26.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 43.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 34.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $58,874 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,069 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 23.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 19.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.1% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 4.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
North Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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