Cost of Living: Costa Mesa, CA vs Santa Maria, CA (2026)

Costa Mesa

California
228
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Costa Mesa is 66% more expensive than Santa Maria.

$2,395/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↓ 23%
$110,073/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↓ 23%
$1,054,700 ↑ 121%
Home Value
$478,200 ↓ 55%
$2,462/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↓ 27%
110,538
Population
109,880

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Costa Mesa, CA and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 228 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $553/month cheaper in Santa Maria, saving renters about $6,636/year.

Median household income is $25,456/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Costa Mesa is $1,054,700 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Mesa vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is Costa Mesa or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Maria is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Costa Mesa and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Costa Mesa is $2,395/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $553/month.
Which city has higher income, Costa Mesa or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $110,073 in Costa Mesa and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $25,456/year higher in Costa Mesa.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Costa Mesa or Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with median rent of $2,395/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Costa Mesa details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

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