Costa Mesa CA vs Provo UT — 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
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
23.7
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
12.2%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
78.6%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 114,303 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 23.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 78.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,800 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $26,755 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 39.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 30.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 21.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 19.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Provo
20.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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