Costa Mesa CA vs Schenectady NY — 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
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
86.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 28,542 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 86.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
$62,931
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
2.3%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
58.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $100,485 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $62,931 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 58.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 38.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.9% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Costa Mesa +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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