Costa Mesa CA vs West Covina 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
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
36.7%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
30.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
53.2%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 107,436 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 40.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 30.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 53.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
$98,570
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
West Covina
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $98,570 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,100 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
West Covina
$851,613
West Covina +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $851,613 | West Covina + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 60.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
West Covina
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
West Covina
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, 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%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, 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
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 36.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $851,613. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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