Costa Mesa CA vs Rancho Cucamonga 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
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 174,693 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 38.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $109,511 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $45,626 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rancho Cucamonga +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $791,317 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 63.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, 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 +
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 30.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.1% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 34.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $791,317. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Rancho Cucamonga 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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