Costa Mesa CA vs Tallahassee FL — 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
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
28.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 199,696 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 50.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 35.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,931 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,704 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 51.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 39.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.2% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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