Costa Mesa CA vs Westminster CO — 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
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
8.2%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 115,546 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 74.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
7.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $96,145 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $51,982 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 63.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Costa Mesa +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Costa Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 27.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.1% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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