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

West Palm Beach

Florida
119
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

West Palm Beach is 48% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,709/mo ↓ 29%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 40%
$69,261/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 59%
$369,800 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 185%
$1,667/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 48%
119,508
Population
110,538

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

29.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing West Palm Beach, FL and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 119 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $686/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $8,232/year.

Median household income is $40,812/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in West Palm Beach is $369,800 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

West Palm Beach vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is West Palm Beach or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between West Palm Beach and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in West Palm Beach is $1,709/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $686/month.
Which city has higher income, West Palm Beach or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $69,261 in West Palm Beach and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $40,812/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 West Palm Beach or Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with median rent of $1,709/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 West Palm Beach details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for West Palm Beach and Costa Mesa

West Palm Beach vs. Hartford West Palm Beach vs. Spring Hill West Palm Beach vs. Fairfield West Palm Beach vs. Wilmington West Palm Beach vs. Berkeley West Palm Beach vs. Billings 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