Costa Mesa CA vs Sugar Land TX — 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
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
39.5%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 109,735 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 40.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 39.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
$137,511
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
5.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $137,511 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $60,258 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 62.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
80.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 80.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Costa Mesa +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 31.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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