Costa Mesa CA vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 99,507 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 66.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,146 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,835 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 24.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 63.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 22.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 19.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
San Marcos
19.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa 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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