Costa Mesa CA vs San Bernardino 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
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
31.9
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
22.9%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
69.6%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 221,774 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 22.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 27.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 69.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
San Bernardino
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,988 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $23,980 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $492,059 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
San Bernardino
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
San Bernardino
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, 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 +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 20.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.1% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. San Bernardino 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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