2025 Compare Cities Rankings:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA

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Rankings for Santa Barbara


Santa Barbara, CA has never been in one of our rankings. Do you think this is a mistake? Tell us what you think is great or not so great about his place.

Rankings for Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa Ranked
#2 Most Comfortable Summer Cities
When it comes to summer and its accompanying hot weather, there are so many beautiful things - beach days, barbecues, revea... Read More

Costa Mesa Ranked
#2 Top 10 Cities to Beat the Heat
The BestPlaces Summer Comfort Index considers seven climate variables, including total precipitation, daily minimum and... Read More

Costa Mesa Ranked
#43 Best Cities for Board Gamers
The data team at BestPlaces.net calculated each metro area’s Board Gamer Score based on board game interest and sales from th... Read More

Costa Mesa Ranked
#47 Gloomiest Places in America
The data team at BestPlaces.net determined each metro area’s Gloom Score by looking at three key environmental factors for the m... Read More

Costa Mesa Ranked
#50 America's Top Hygge Cities
Hygge is the Danish concept of creating cozy environments that foster well-being and contentment. Many Americans have eagerly ado... Read More

Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  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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