Costa Mesa, California, known as "The City of the Arts," is a vibrant and dynamic city located in Orange County. With its thriving arts scene, strong economy, and beautiful coastal location, Costa Mesa offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of cultural richness and modern amenities makes living in Costa Mesa an attractive option for families, professionals, and artists.
Residents of Costa Mesa enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, beaches, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The South Coast Plaza, one of the largest shopping centers in the United States, is a major destination for shopping and dining. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the South Coast Repertory Theatre are cultural highlights that offer residents access to world-class performances and exhibitions.
Costa Mesa's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including retail, healthcare, and education. The city's strategic location near major highways and transportation hubs provides residents with easy access to job opportunities throughout Orange County and beyond. Major employers in the area include Experian, Coast Community College District, and the Orange Coast College.
The cost of living in Costa Mesa is relatively high compared to other parts of Orange County, reflecting its desirable location and amenities. The housing market includes a variety of options, from beachfront condos to single-family homes in charming neighborhoods. Despite the high costs, many residents find the city's quality of life and vibrant community well worth the investment.
Public transportation in Costa Mesa is well-developed, with access to Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Costa Mesa's climate features mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Costa Mesa offers a blend of cultural richness, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Costa Mesa, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 117,376 residents. In Costa Mesa, there are 7,465 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (66% White). Given that fact, Costa Mesa could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Costa Mesa are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 29% of the population also speak Spanish. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 48% of the Costa Mesa population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Costa Mesa your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Costa Mesa is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in California, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Costa Mesa and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, commute, health & safety, education, employment and other important metrics.
Costa Mesa has a livability score of 62/100 and is ranked #525 in California and #16,102 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Costa Mesa has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (B) and employment (A+). On a less positive note, Costa Mesa does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Costa Mesa, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Costa Mesa undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Costa Mesa: Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Plaza, and Lyon Air Museum.
Costa Mesa real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Costa Mesa. The median home price for Costa Mesa homes is $1,484,126, which is 102.8% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Costa Mesa, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 10.8, which is 40.3% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Costa Mesa | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.2% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.7% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.0% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.4% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.3% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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