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Cost of Living in Costa Mesa, CA

Population 110,330 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$2,446
Median home value$1,115,100
Median household income$111,505

The median rent in Costa Mesa, CA is $2,446/month, 20% higher than the California median and 73% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $1,115,100, 235% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $111,505 a year, 12% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 26.3%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $97,840/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 10.0×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $5,639/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Costa Mesa vs. California vs. U.S.

Costa MesaCaliforniaU.S.
Median rent$2,446$2,036$1,413
Median home value$1,115,100$734,700$332,700
Median household income$111,505$99,122$80,734
Homeownership rate39.6%55.9%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher45.0%37.1%35.7%
Poverty rate9.1%12.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.7%6.6%5.2%
Work from home22.2%17.2%15.1%
Median age36.737.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Costa Mesa, CA?

The median gross rent in Costa Mesa, CA is $2,446 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Costa Mesa, CA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $97,840 a year in gross income.

Is Costa Mesa, CA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 73% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 10.0 times the median household income.

Other cities in California

Los Angeles, CARent $1,933 · Income $81,939San Diego, CARent $2,313 · Income $108,077San Jose, CARent $2,669 · Income $146,427San Francisco, CARent $2,476 · Income $140,970Fresno, CARent $1,421 · Income $70,991Sacramento, CARent $1,779 · Income $87,321

Cities with a similar cost of living

Jupiter, FLRent $2,381 · Income $110,240Frederickson, WARent $2,386 · Income $109,500Palm Beach Gardens, FLRent $2,417 · Income $106,947Stamford, CTRent $2,276 · Income $111,586Boca Raton, FLRent $2,508 · Income $106,273Coram, NYRent $2,492 · Income $105,220

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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