Costa Mesa CA vs Sparks NV — 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
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | N/A | - |
| White | N/A | N/A | - |
| Black | N/A | N/A | - |
| Asian | N/A | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 28.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.9% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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