2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Costa Mesa, CA vs Fullerton, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Fullerton or is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa?
- Fullerton is 0.0% more expensive than Costa Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Fullerton or Costa Mesa?
- Fullerton housing costs are 20.7% less expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Fullerton.
- Health related expenses are 0.0% less in Fullerton.
 Costa Mesa, CAFullerton, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing347.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$877,500$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock119.8100
 Miscellaneous156.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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

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Reviews for Fullerton    13 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

ive lived in this city for a very long time, and it is a great and quiet place to live, with some nice shopping areas and great  More

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David · 

I have been living and working in Fullerton for almost 20 years now and have seen it change through the years, both for the better and worse. Fullerton is a half  More

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Over 9 years ago

The weather here is gorgeous! Warm and rarely rains.  More

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