Costa Mesa, CA vs Martinez, CA

Martinez is moderately more affordable than Costa Mesa, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Costa Mesa scores 199 compared to 177 for Martinez, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Costa Mesa 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 $2,265/month in Martinez — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Martinez is more affordable at $824,700 median vs $1,054,700.

Median household income in Costa Mesa is $110,073 compared to $125,436 in Martinez (-12.2%). Martinez offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Costa Mesa spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in Martinez.