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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Walnut Creek or is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa?
- Walnut Creek is 6.1% more expensive than Costa Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Walnut Creek or Costa Mesa?
- Walnut Creek housing costs are 9.2% more expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Walnut Creek.
- Health related expenses are 29.7% more in Walnut Creek.
 Costa Mesa, CAWalnut Creek, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock174.9100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.1100
 Housing347.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,025,000$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock127.5100
 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 Walnut Creek    16 Reviews

Apart from the congestion, Walnut Creek is one of the best places in the San Francisco Bay Area to live. It is one of the most compact/walkable cities in the entire area  More

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Over 7 years ago

Almost all of Walnut Creek water comes from Pardee dam through an enclosed pipeline. That water is direct from the high Sierras. Among the best water quality in the  More

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Over 7 years ago

I grew up in Southern California and am no stranger to a more inland California climate. Before moving to WC I lived in San Francisco for 15 years where it is obviously  More

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