Costa Mesa CA vs Tempe AZ — 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
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
29.9
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
13.9%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 186,419 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 29.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 60.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $77,643 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,371 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 49.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 27.2% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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