Costa Mesa CA vs Providence RI — 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
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
32.8%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
40.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 190,214 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 32.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 40.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 44.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,772 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,694 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.1% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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