Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

San Jose is 11% more expensive than Costa Mesa.

$2,617/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↓ 8%
$141,565/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↓ 22%
$1,187,800 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↓ 11%
$2,775/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↓ 11%
990,054
Population
110,538

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $222/month cheaper in Costa Mesa, saving renters about $2,664/year.

Median household income is $31,492/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is San Jose or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Costa Mesa is cheaper to live in with an index of 228 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $222/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $31,492/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View Costa Mesa details →

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