Costa Mesa CA vs Oxnard 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
Oxnard, CA
California · Population: 201,014
- Median HH Income$93,372
- Median Home Price$765,773
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
201,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
34.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
33.8%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
6.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
77.0%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 201,014 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 33.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 77.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
$93,372
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Oxnard
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
10.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $93,372 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,413 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 19.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Oxnard
$765,773
Oxnard +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
53.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $765,773 | Oxnard + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Oxnard
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Oxnard
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, 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 +
Oxnard
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Oxnard
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Oxnard
17.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Oxnard
12.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 28.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 19.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Oxnard
15.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, 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
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,773. On public safety, Oxnard is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Oxnard 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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