CostLens
HomeUnited States › Costa Mesa

Cost of Living in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa, California, United States · Population 110,330

▼ -6% vs United States average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,246
Couple, monthly$2,273
Family of four, monthly$2,999

Estimated Prices in Costa Mesa

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$11.25per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$45.00per meal
Cappuccino$3.38each
Monthly groceries (single person)$255per month
Monthly public transport pass$41.25per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$109per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$31.50per month
Fitness club membership$31.50per month
Cinema ticket$8.25each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$713per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$496per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,488per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Costa Mesa is $3,900 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,246 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $1,620 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($496) represents about 40% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa vs New YorkCosta Mesa vs Los AngelesCosta Mesa vs ChicagoCosta Mesa vs MiamiCosta Mesa vs HoustonCosta Mesa vs Dallas

Nearby Cities

Fountain Valley

6 km away · California

Newport Beach

7 km away · California

Santa Ana

8 km away · California

Huntington Beach

9 km away · California

Tustin

12 km away · California

Westminster

12 km away · California

Irvine

13 km away · California

Garden Grove

13 km away · California

Other Major Cities in United States

New York

New York · pop. 19,268,388

$1,664 / mo

Los Angeles

California · pop. 11,984,083

$1,635 / mo

Chicago

Illinois · pop. 8,609,571

$1,635 / mo

Miami

Florida · pop. 6,391,670

$1,635 / mo

Houston

Texas · pop. 6,227,666

$1,635 / mo

Dallas

Texas · pop. 5,968,322

$1,635 / mo

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania · pop. 5,782,653

$1,635 / mo

Atlanta

Georgia · pop. 5,298,788

$1,635 / mo

Living in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa is one of the key cities in United States. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,246, placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $496 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $2,999 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $2,273 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Costa Mesa is $3,900. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $1,620 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costa Mesa expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,246 per month in Costa Mesa including rent outside the city centre. That is 6% less than the national average for United States.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Costa Mesa?
A net salary of around $1,620 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Costa Mesa with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Costa Mesa is $3,900.
How much is rent in Costa Mesa?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $713 per month in the city centre and $496 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,488.
Is Costa Mesa cheaper than United States on average?
Yes — Costa Mesa is estimated to be about 6% cheaper than the United States average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Costa Mesa?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $255 in Costa Mesa. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $11 and a cappuccino runs around $3.
How do transport costs in Costa Mesa compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Costa Mesa is estimated at $41. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Costa Mesa are estimates based on United States national averages adjusted for city size (population 110,330). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.