Calexico, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA

The cost of living difference between Calexico, CA and Costa Mesa, CA is dramatic. Calexico is 54.9% cheaper than Costa Mesa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calexico has a cost index of 90 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 Calexico is $1,049/month compared to $2,395/month in Costa Mesa — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Calexico is more affordable at $281,700 median vs $1,054,700.

Median household income in Calexico is $50,021 compared to $110,073 in Costa Mesa (-54.6%). The higher salaries in Costa Mesa partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Calexico spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Costa Mesa.