City Guide
Costa Mesa, CA
Overview
Costa Mesa, CA evolved from a town with agricultural roots to become a world-class center for action sports and art. There are 112,405 residents living in Costa Mesa, making it a relatively small city. An interesting fact about the city is that its home to the OC Fair & Event Center, which hosts food and markets throughout the year. Another cool tidbit about Costa Mesa is that it was once a semi-rural farming town called Harper.
What’s it like to live in Costa Mesa, CA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Costa Mesa, CA you'll find that the median sale price is
$1,580,000
and homes stay on the market for 32 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Costa Mesa are $1,615,000
and $820,000
, respectively. Costa Mesa area townhouses have a median sale price of $1,042,500
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Costa Mesa, CAExplore our Costa Mesa housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Costa Mesa home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Costa Mesa rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Costa Mesa rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Costa Mesa, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Costa Mesa
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana | $799,000 | 65 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Eastside Costa Mesa | $1,895,000 | 73 / 100 | 67 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Newport Heights | $5,400,000 | 42 / 100 | 76 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Mesa Verde | $2,070,000 | 75 / 100 | 49 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Balboa Peninsula | $4,475,000 | 36 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Costa Mesa Articles & Neighborhood Content
Read more on the Redfin blog
Popular homes for sale in Costa Mesa
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Costa Mesa
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
What is the cost of living in Costa Mesa?
The cost of living in Costa Mesa is 56% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In Costa Mesa, the average monthly rent is $3,118, while the median home price is $1,550,000. Overall, housing in Costa Mesa is 260% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 10% higher in Costa Mesa. Though healthcare costs 7% lower in Costa Mesa compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In Costa Mesa, an optometry check-up costs around $155.63, while a dentist appointment is $113.83 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in Costa Mesa. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.
Compared to the national average
56%
Cost of living
260%
Home prices
Cost of living calculator
Compare cities across the U.S.
Costa Mesa Migration & Relocation Trends
In Jan '25 - Mar '25, 22% of Costa Mesa homebuyers searched to move out of Costa Mesa, while 78% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 4% of homebuyers searched to move into Costa Mesa from outside metros.
- San Francisco homebuyers searched to move into Costa Mesa more than any other metro followed by Houston and Seattle.
Where are people moving to Costa Mesa from?
- 78% of Costa Mesa homebuyers searched to stay within the Costa Mesa metropolitan area.
Where are people from Costa Mesa moving to?
Number of People Moving to Costa Mesa
least
most
People are moving to Costa Mesa from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 2,235 | ||
| 2 | 815 | ||
| 3 | 400 | ||
| 4 | 43 | ||
| 5 | 11 | ||
| 6 | 5 | ||
| 7 | 4 | ||
| 8 | 3 | ||
| 9 | 2 | ||
| 10 | 2 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Costa Mesa, CA ?
There are a lot of places to visit in Costa Mesa, CA, that will be a hit for anyone moving to the area. Heroes Hall, Westside Museum, and Orange County Museum of Art, Costa Mesa has a total of 7 museums that you can explore. You'll find that there's a vibrant arts and culture scene, with many performing arts centers such as Pacific Amphitheatre and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. There are countless parks and green spaces within the city including TeWinkle Park, Fairview Park, Costa Mesa Bark Park that you can easily spend the morning at. Dick Church's Restaurant, Mastro's Restaurants, and Sushi Sho Japanese Restaurant are some of the numerous delicious restaurants to check out while in Costa Mesa.
Explore some of the best things to do in Costa Mesa
What's the best way to get around Costa Mesa, CA ?
The best way to get around Costa Mesa is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Costa Mesa has a walk score of 65, meaning this area is somewhat walkable. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. Costa Mesa has a transit score of 37, with a few nearby public transportation options. You can also get around Costa Mesa by bike. With a bike score of 66, there is some amount of infrastructure for biking.
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Costa Mesa Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 31 car rental locations.
Airports
Costa Mesa has 2 airports which allows you to easily travel.
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