Costa Mesa CA vs Stamford CT — 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
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
31.8%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 135,806 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $107,474 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $64,382 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 51.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
Compare More Cities
Costa Mesa, CA vs New York, NYCosta Mesa, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Costa Mesa, CACosta Mesa, CA vs Houston, TXCosta Mesa, CA vs Phoenix, AZCosta Mesa, CA vs Philadelphia, PA