Costa Mesa CA vs Salt Lake City 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
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 203,888 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $74,925 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,642 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 50.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 29.5% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Salt Lake City 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%.
Compare More Cities
Costa Mesa, CA vs New York, NYCosta Mesa, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Costa Mesa, CACosta Mesa, CA vs Houston, TXCosta Mesa, CA vs Phoenix, AZCosta Mesa, CA vs Philadelphia, PA