2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Costa Mesa, CA vs Tampa, FL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Tampa or is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa?
- Tampa is 36.8% less expensive than Costa Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Tampa or Costa Mesa?
- Tampa housing costs are 69.8% less expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Tampa.
- Health related expenses are 7.4% more in Tampa.
 Costa Mesa, CATampa, FLUnited States
 Overall  Unlock104.2100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock100.3100
 Housing347.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$381,000$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock112.1100
 Miscellaneous156.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Costa Mesa

Reviews for Tampa    162 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

The people in Tampa are fantastic but the city is a total bore. All events are always in South Tampa and never elsewhere, ie, North Tampa. The north end never  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I've lived in small towns before and now for the past 25 years in this large metropolis. It's a very nice city. Lots of jobs, shopping restaurants, churches, Busch  More

   |    Reply

This is my favorite city that I have ever lived in. I am reading all of these terrible reviews for Tampa, but then when I read what people are writing, they are actually  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Tampa


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.