Costa Mesa CA vs West Palm Beach 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
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 119,508 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 40.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 31.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 24.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $69,261 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $44,508 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 50.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 29.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 16.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.0% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. West Palm Beach 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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