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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto or is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa?
- Palo Alto is 40.1% more expensive than Costa Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palo Alto or Costa Mesa?
- Palo Alto housing costs are 227.6% more expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto.
- Health related expenses are 15.3% more in Palo Alto.
 Costa Mesa, CAPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock231.0100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.7100
 Housing347.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$3,107,600$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock140.6100
 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 Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very  More

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Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

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Start Your Review of Palo Alto


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