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Costa Mesa, CA vs Culver City, CA

199
Costa Mesa
California
VS
-6.9%
214
Culver City
California

Costa Mesa is moderately more affordable than Culver City, with a 6.9% lower cost of living index. Costa Mesa scores 199 compared to 214 for Culver City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Culver City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Costa Mesa is $2,395/month compared to $2,683/month in Culver City — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Costa Mesa is more affordable at $1,054,700 median vs $1,126,900.

Median household income in Costa Mesa is $110,073 compared to $122,312 in Culver City (-10%). While Culver City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Costa Mesa spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, less than the 26.3% in Culver City.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Costa Mesa
199
7% cheaper
Culver City
214
Median Household Income
Costa Mesa
$110,073
Culver City
$122,312
10% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Costa Mesa
$2,395
11% cheaper
Culver City
$2,683
Median Home Value
Costa Mesa
$1,054,700
6% cheaper
Culver City
$1,126,900
Population
Costa Mesa
110,538
Culver City
39,993

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Costa Mesa $2,031
Culver City $2,031
1 Bed
Costa Mesa $2,272
Culver City $2,272
2 Bed
Costa Mesa $2,835
Culver City $2,835
3 Bed
Costa Mesa $3,599
Culver City $3,599
4 Bed
Costa Mesa $4,010
Culver City $4,010

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Costa Mesa $3.28
Culver City $3.28
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Costa Mesa $2.68
Culver City $2.68
US $2.50
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Milk (whole)
Costa Mesa $4.31
Culver City $4.31
US $4.03
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Bread (white)
Costa Mesa $1.98
Culver City $1.98
US $1.85
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Chicken breast
Costa Mesa $4.44
Culver City $4.44
US $4.14
Electricity
Costa Mesa $0.27
Culver City $0.27
US $0.19