2025 Compare Cities Housing:
Santa Monica, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- The median age of a home in Santa Monica is 9.1% older than the median age of a home in Costa Mesa.
 Santa Monica, CACosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 Median Home Age55  Unlock42
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,097,500$338,100
 Home Appr. Last 12 months14.9%  Unlock16.6%
 Home Appr. Last 5 yrs.  Unlock48.3%57.0%
 Home Appr. Last 10 yrs.129.2%  Unlock101.1%
 Property Tax Rate  Unlock$6.8$11.0
 Homes Owned25.4%  Unlock57.4%
 Housing Vacant  Unlock4.3%11.2%
 Homes Rented63.5%  Unlock31.4%
 space
 Avg Rent For Home Or Apartment
 Santa Monica, CACosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 Average Rent  Unlock$3,740$1,840
 Studio Apartment$1,940  Unlock$1,080
 1 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$2,320$1,180
 2 Bedroom Home or Apartment$2,810  Unlock$1,430
 3 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$3,790$1,860
 4 Bedroom Home or Apartment$4,010  Unlock$2,160
 space1
 Vacant Housing
 Santa Monica, CACosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 Vacant For Rent  Unlock1.9%1.9%
 Vacant Rented0.4%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant For Sale  Unlock0.5%0.7%
 Vacant Sold0.3%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant Vacation  Unlock0.6%3.6%
 Vacant Other4.6%  Unlock4.1%
 space2
 Owner-Occupied Housing Value
 Santa Monica, CACosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 Less Than $20,000  Unlock0.5%2.6%
 $20,000 to $39,9990.6%  Unlock2.4%
 $40,000 to $59,999  Unlock1.5%2.8%
 $60,000 to $79,9990.2%  Unlock3.9%
 $80,000 to $99,999  Unlock0.7%4.5%
 $100,000 to $149,9990.4%  Unlock11.3%
 $150,000 to $199,999  Unlock0.3%13.0%
 $200,000 to $299,9991.0%  Unlock20.1%
 $300,000 to $399,999  Unlock1.0%13.6%
 $400,000 to $499,9991.4%  Unlock8.3%
 $500,000 to $749,999  Unlock25.5%9.7%
 $750,000 to $999,99915.9%  Unlock3.9%
 $1,000,000 to $1,499,999  Unlock18.3%2.2%
 $1,500,000 to $1,999,99913.6%  Unlock0.8%
 $2,000,000 and over  Unlock3.6%1.1%
 space3
 Housing Units By Year Built
 Santa Monica, CACosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 2015 and Newer0.2%  Unlock0.2%
 2010 to 2014  Unlock4.1%13.6%
 2000 to 20094.9%  Unlock13.6%
 1990 to 1999  Unlock6.9%13.6%
 1980 to 19898.9%  Unlock13.2%
 1970 to 1979  Unlock23.4%14.8%
 1960 to 19695.2%  Unlock13.6%
 1950 to 1959  Unlock18.2%10.0%
 1940 to 19498.9%  Unlock4.7%
 1939 or Earlier  Unlock1.1%12.2%
Reviews for Santa Monica    24 Reviews

I moved here to Santa Monica over 10 years ago from Oklahoma City. I was surprised to see that Oklahoma City was ranked higher than Santa Monica on best places. I  More

   |    Reply

I've lived in Santa Monica for over 30 years. It's a Mediterranean climate--sunny and temperate when the rest of the country is under snow! I am walking distance to  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in this city for 4 decades, and it is never been worse than it is now. It is a dangerous disgusting hell hole. Between the crime, the homeless that are not  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Monica

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Costa Mesa


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.