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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Santa Clara is 35% more expensive than Costa Mesa.

$2,985/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↓ 20%
$173,670/yr ↑ 58%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↓ 37%
$1,527,900 ↑ 45%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↓ 31%
$3,051/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↓ 19%
129,239
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

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $590/month cheaper in Costa Mesa, saving renters about $7,080/year.

Median household income is $63,597/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Santa Clara 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 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $590/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $63,597/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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 Santa Clara details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

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