Costa Mesa, CA vs Monrovia, CA

Monrovia is moderately more affordable than Costa Mesa, with a 14.4% lower cost of living index. Costa Mesa scores 199 compared to 174 for Monrovia, 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 $2,009/month in Monrovia — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Monrovia is more affordable at $891,700 median vs $1,054,700.

Median household income in Costa Mesa is $110,073 compared to $97,083 in Monrovia (+13.4%). The higher salaries in Costa Mesa partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Costa Mesa spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 24.8% in Monrovia.