salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 9.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (60%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $118,720 a year. That is $57 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 490 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Costa Mesa?
Share of households by yearly income. 44.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Costa Mesa
| Size | Costa Mesa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,920 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,355 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,642 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,710 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Costa Mesa overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Costa Mesa
Life in Costa Mesa
What jobs pay in Costa Mesa
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 18.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 22.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 22.1% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 22.1% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 22.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 26.3% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 28.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 29.0% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 29.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 29.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 32.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 35.0% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 36.3% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 37.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 42.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 44.9% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 47.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 48.2% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 48.3% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 50.1% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 59.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 72.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 74.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 75.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 80.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 84.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 94.5% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 96.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 99.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Costa Mesa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,769 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,115,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $111,510 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Renting in Costa Mesa costs a median of about $2,968 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Costa Mesa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $118,720 a year, or $57 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Costa Mesa cheap or expensive?
Costa Mesa is rated OK: rent takes 29.6% of the typical household income of $120,258. It ranks 490th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Costa Mesa?
The median homeowner in Costa Mesa pays $6,839 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Costa Mesa?
The median home value in Costa Mesa is $1,115,100, about 9.3 times the typical yearly household income.
110,330 people live in Costa Mesa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.