Costa Mesa CA vs St. Louis MO — 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
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 293,109 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 45.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 43.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,279 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,947 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.8% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | 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 +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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