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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Rafael or is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa?
- San Rafael is 39.5% more expensive than Costa Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Rafael or Costa Mesa?
- San Rafael housing costs are 28.0% more expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael.
- Health related expenses are 17.9% more in San Rafael.
 Costa Mesa, CASan Rafael, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing347.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,209,300$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 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 San Rafael    7 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

San Rafael is only 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco, but the weather is completely different. It's sunny most of the year, including in the summer when the city  More

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Over 15 years ago

I feal very safe in this town. I think getting stopped for talking on your cell phone while driving is a big deal here. Thats about all I can  More

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Over 17 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  More

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