Costa Mesa CA vs Spokane WA — 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
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
6.1%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
81.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 229,228 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,745 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,200 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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