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 is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 112,958 residents. With a population density of 7,146 people per square mile, Costa Mesa is well above the nation's average density level. At 66%, the majority of the Costa Mesa population is White; this is followed by 9% Asian and 2% Black. 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. Costa Mesa is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 48%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Costa Mesa is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 23 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Costa Mesa could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Costa Mesa and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Costa Mesa to California and the national average.
Costa Mesa has a livability score of 63 out of 100 and is ranked #477 in California and #12,997 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Costa Mesa has received high marks for amenities (B), education (B) and employment (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Costa Mesa. The following was graded with a disappointing score: crime (D-) and cost of living (F).
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.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Costa Mesa is actually affordable. The median home price for Costa Mesa homes is $807,000, which is 97.2% 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 8.9, which is 39.1% 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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