2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Palm Desert, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa or is it cheaper to live in Palm Desert?
- Costa Mesa is 25.7% more expensive than Palm Desert.

Which city has more affordable housing, Costa Mesa or Palm Desert?
- Costa Mesa housing costs are 122.2% more expensive than Palm Desert housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palm Desert or is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa.
- Health related expenses are 7.0% more in Costa Mesa.
 Palm Desert, CACosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries99.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing156.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,097,500$338,100
 Utilities110  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock106.6100
 Miscellaneous112.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Palm Desert    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

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Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

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I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

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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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