Adelanto, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA

The cost of living difference between Adelanto, CA and Costa Mesa, CA is dramatic. Adelanto is 46.9% cheaper than Costa Mesa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Adelanto has a cost index of 106 while Costa Mesa sits at 199, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Adelanto is $1,389/month compared to $2,395/month in Costa Mesa — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Adelanto is more affordable at $318,300 median vs $1,054,700.

Median household income in Adelanto is $68,419 compared to $110,073 in Costa Mesa (-37.8%). The higher salaries in Costa Mesa partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Adelanto spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Costa Mesa.