Cost of Living: Palm Bay, FL vs Costa Mesa, CA (2026)

Palm Bay

Florida
91
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Palm Bay is 60% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,487/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 61%
$67,521/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 63%
$248,000 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 325%
$1,203/mo ↓ 51%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 105%
125,273
Population
110,538

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palm Bay, FL and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $908/month cheaper in Palm Bay, saving renters about $10,896/year.

Median household income is $42,552/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palm Bay is $248,000 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm Bay vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Palm Bay or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palm Bay is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palm Bay and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Palm Bay is $1,487/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $908/month.
Which city has higher income, Palm Bay or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $67,521 in Palm Bay and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $42,552/year higher in Costa Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Palm Bay or Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,487/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Palm Bay details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palm Bay and Costa Mesa

Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock Costa Mesa vs. Everett Costa Mesa vs. Temecula Costa Mesa vs. Miami Gardens Costa Mesa vs. Ventura Costa Mesa vs. Pueblo Costa Mesa vs. Santa Maria