2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Costa Mesa, CA vs Chapel Hill, NC

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Chapel Hill, is 20% less than it is in Costa Mesa and is 10% above the National Average.
- Costa Mesa unemployment rate is 5.5%.
- Chapel Hill unemployment rate is 3.2%.
 Costa Mesa, CAChapel Hill, NCUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.2%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock2.1%1.6%
 Future Job Growth32.4%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes7.8%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock5.3%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$47,636  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$77,037$69,021
 Family Median Income$106,842  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Costa Mesa, CAChapel Hill, NCUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock13.9%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K2.7%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock6.7%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K5.6%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock7.2%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K5.0%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock5.5%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K15.2%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock11.2%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K10.8%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock21.6%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Costa Mesa, CAChapel Hill, NCUnited States
 Management, business, finance22.1%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock13.3%6.5%
 Community, social services1.2%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock2.2%1.2%
 Education, library4.7%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock3.1%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology3.6%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock3.1%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.2%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock6.0%5.4%
 Building maintenance5.1%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock4.2%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support22.6%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.1%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair6.2%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock4.0%13.1%
Reviews for Costa Mesa    8 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

Costa mesa has awesome shopping but is way too crowded and I have had 3 cars stolen in the past 5 years along with countless break-ins and theft. Expensive. Close to  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

Costa Mesa has a near perfect climate . . . plenty of sun but rarely over 100 degrees (our house doesn't even have AC). Nestled between Newport Beach and Huntington  More

   |    Reply

We have a good amount of low-income, medium-income, and relatively high-income  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Costa Mesa

Reviews for Chapel Hill    16 Reviews

Between my wife and I, we've lived in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and it's Chapel Hill we prefer. Franklin Street is always lively with an eclectic mix of  More

   |    Reply

I am not sure if Bert has actually been to the Triangle, but for starters, Durham, as Chapel Hill residents know and envy, is and has been for 5 yrs now a vibrant  More

   |    Reply

someone told me they live in the hills/mountains right near chapel hill, and the summers are much cooler there, while the town itself is easily accessible. is this  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chapel Hill


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.