Cost of Living: Costa Mesa, CA vs Sparks, NV (2026)

Costa Mesa

California
228
VS

Sparks

Nevada
126

Costa Mesa is 81% more expensive than Sparks.

$2,395/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,651/mo ↓ 31%
$110,073/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$86,979/yr ↓ 21%
$1,054,700 ↑ 131%
Home Value
$455,900 ↓ 57%
$2,462/mo ↑ 53%
Owner Costs
$1,610/mo ↓ 35%
110,538
Population
109,106

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.85%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.53%

Affordability

26.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Costa Mesa, CA and Sparks, NV, the overall cost of living indices are 228 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $744/month cheaper in Sparks, saving renters about $8,928/year.

Median household income is $23,094/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Costa Mesa is $1,054,700 compared to $455,900 in Sparks.

Nevada has no state income tax, giving Sparks residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Mesa vs Sparks — common questions

Is Costa Mesa or Sparks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sparks is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Costa Mesa and Sparks?
Median rent in Costa Mesa is $2,395/month and in Sparks it's $1,651/month — a difference of $744/month.
Which city has higher income, Costa Mesa or Sparks?
Median household income is $110,073 in Costa Mesa and $86,979 in Sparks. Median household income is $23,094/year higher in Costa Mesa.
How do taxes compare between California and Nevada?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax.
Should I move to Costa Mesa or Sparks?
It depends on your priorities. Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with median rent of $2,395/mo, while Sparks has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,651/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Costa Mesa details → View Sparks details →

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