2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Costa Mesa, CA vs Seaside, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Seaside older or younger than people in Costa Mesa?
- The Median Age in Seaside is 2.1 years younger than in Costa Mesa.

Are housing costs cheaper in Seaside or Costa Mesa?
- Seaside housing costs are 33.9% less expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Seaside or Costa Mesa?
- The average commute for residents of Seaside is 2.1 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Costa Mesa.

Things to do in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa, California is an upscale beach-side city located in the Orange County region of Southern California. With its sunny days, mild winters, and beautiful beaches, Costa Mesa provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. From world-class shopping malls to award-winning art galleries and top-notch dining options, there's something for everyone in this vibrant coastal town. For those looking for active outdoor pursuits, Costa Mesa offers plenty of parks, trails and other nature activities; whatever your interests may be - you're sure to find something to enjoy here!

Things to do in Seaside?
Seaside CA is located on California’s northern coast near Monterey Bay offering stunning views of nature combined with family friendly attractions from art galleries to pier strolling.

 Costa Mesa, CASeaside, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock32,631329,725,481
 Median Income$96,391  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock33.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,097,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.45  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Costa Mesa    8 Reviews

Over 16 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 17 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 Seaside    4 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I’ve lived in Seaside for the past 20 years and I love it. I’m a fourth generation Monterey Bay family. Seaside hands down has the best views in the Monterey Bay. It’s a  More

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Over 16 years ago

Housing in Seaside is more affordable than it was, mainly due to the bursting of the housing bubble. There are still problems, though, mainly because of the huge number  More

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Over 20 years ago

unless you went to grad school, or are already rich, don't expect to be able to get a nice house here. You'll be house-poor(not able to afford anything outside of your  More

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