Costa Mesa CA vs Wilmington DE — 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
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 71,124 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 52.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,269 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,786 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 41.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.0% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.4% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.4% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa 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%.
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