Costa Mesa CA vs Ontario CA — 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
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
21.0%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
13.1%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
40.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 138,723 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 21.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 53.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 40.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
$116,945
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
$50,759
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Ontario
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
9.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $116,945 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $50,759 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Ontario
$671,948
Ontario +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $671,948 | Ontario + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Ontario
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Ontario
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 17.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
15.0 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $671,948. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Ontario 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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