Costa Mesa CA vs Sunnyvale CA — 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
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
49.4%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 153,455 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 49.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 30.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 49.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
69.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $181,862 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $95,752 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 69.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Costa Mesa +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $2,144,024 | Costa Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 43.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Sunnyvale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Sunnyvale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Costa Mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,416,645. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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