Costa Mesa CA vs Palm Bay FL — 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
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 125,273 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 41.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,521 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $34,474 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 22.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
79.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 79.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.5% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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