Costa Mesa, CA vs Orange, CA

Orange is moderately more affordable than Costa Mesa, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Costa Mesa scores 199 compared to 182 for Orange, 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 $2,252/month in Orange — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Orange is more affordable at $900,700 median vs $1,054,700.

Median household income in Costa Mesa is $110,073 compared to $116,945 in Orange (-5.9%). Orange 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 23.1% in Orange.