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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Oakland or is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa?
- Oakland is 18.6% more expensive than Costa Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Oakland or Costa Mesa?
- Oakland housing costs are 9.0% less expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Oakland.
- Health related expenses are 25.1% more in Oakland.
 Costa Mesa, CAOakland, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing347.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$819,500$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.8100
 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 Oakland    38 Reviews

I move to Oakland 20yrs ago with high hopes, loved the geography of the city, the diversity is outstanding, and the charm of the older homes is wonderful. When I  More

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Over 4 years ago

Fun place to visit. Little rough is some areas- a lot to do  More

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I moved to Oakland because of its racial diversity in the early eighties although I've seen some ups and downs in this visually beautiful city, it has never been as bad  More

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