Costa Mesa CA vs Vallejo 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
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
46.9%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
55.9%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 68,141 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 46.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 55.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
$137,194
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
$56,020
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Vallejo
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
7.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
45.3%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $137,194 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $56,020 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Vallejo
$523,551
Vallejo +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
67.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $523,551 | Vallejo + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 67.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Vallejo
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Vallejo
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, 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%
Costa Mesa +
Vallejo
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 31.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 36.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $523,551. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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