Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are two cities located in the heart of Orange County, California, with a unique blend of cultural, economic, and social attributes. While both cities have a lot to offer, one may be a more suitable home or visitor's destination depending on specific requirements. Factors such as crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education and others will contribute to these differences. The following guide will compare the two cities across various parameters, providing a clear picture to help you decide.
Distance between
Santa Ana, CA and
Costa Mesa, CA : 5.5 miles
Santa Ana's population is larger by 179%. Its population has decreased by 28,536 people (8.4%) since 2000. The population of Costa Mesa has grown by 2,026 people (1.9%) during that time.
Comparatively, Costa Mesa has a lower crime rate than Santa Ana. While neither city is free from crime, Costa Mesa's rates are quite lower, making it a relatively safer option for potential residents and visitors alike. Police departments in both cities actively implement community policing strategies. Santa Ana's higher crime rate can be attributed to its larger population, but the city is committed to community safety with several active neighborhood watch programs.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 415 registered sex offenders living in Santa Ana and 101 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Santa Ana is 805 to 1; the ratio in Costa Mesa is 1,117 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Santa Ana than in Costa Mesa.
Cost of Living
Cost of living in both cities is higher than the national average, as is typical in Southern California. However, Santa Ana generally has a slightly lower cost of living when compared to Costa Mesa. This includes housing, groceries, utilities, and health care. While the cost difference is not substantial, it could be a determining factor for someone considering relocation.
Income Tax
California maintains a progressive income tax and does not levy separate city income taxes. This means residents of Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are subject to the same income tax brackets, for which the rate can vary from 1% to 13.3% depending on income.
Property Tax
Property taxes in California are capped by Proposition 13, which sets them at 1% of the home's assessed value, plus local bond assessments. Santa Ana and Costa Mesa follow this state guideline. However, given the higher property values in Costa Mesa, homeowners may end up paying more in total property tax.
Sales Tax
Santa Ana and Costa Mesa share a sales tax rate of 7.75%, which is the mandated rate for Orange County. This rate includes the California state rate of 6.00%, a county rate of 0.25%, and a special Orange County rate of 1.50%.
Income
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Estimated median household income
$80,265
$97,904
Estimated per capita income
$26,691
$51,961
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.6
90.1
If you make $50,000 in Santa Ana, you will have to make $50,847 in Costa Mesa to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Both Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are situated in a coastal flat plain with the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Santa Ana is further inland compared to Costa Mesa, which is closer to the coast. Santa Ana River, the largest river entirely within Southern California, flows through Santa Ana, while Costa Mesa is known for its coastal climate and recreational parks.
Both cities are served by different school districts, but the overall level of education is high. Costa Mesa, being home to Orange Coast College and Vanguard University, might be more appealing to those looking for higher education opportunities. Santa Ana, on the other hand, has an extensive public school system, including Santa Ana College, serving its larger residential population.
Santa Ana and Costa Mesa both have diverse economies. The unemployment rate is relatively low in both cities. In Santa Ana, industries like retail trade, health care, and manufacturing dominate. Costa Mesa, on the other hand, has a very strong service industry mostly centered around South Coast Metro, a commercial, cultural, and residential district that overlaps both Costa Mesa and Santa Ana.
Biggest Employers
In Santa Ana, some of the largest employers include the County of Orange, Ingram Micro, and the United States Postal Service. Meanwhile, Costa Mesa is home to major employers like Experian, Coast Community College District Foundation, and automobile manufacturers like Volvo and Hyundai, which have their North American headquarters in the city.
There were 231 building permits issued in Santa Ana in 2012 (189 more than in 2011) compared to 23 building permits issued in Costa Mesa in 2012 (2 more than in 2011).
Weather
Both Santa Ana and Costa Mesa enjoy a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The coastal location contributes to pleasant weather conditions making them attractive to both residents and tourists. However, Santa Ana sometimes experiences higher temperatures and the 'Santa Ana Winds' phenomenon which can heat the city rapidly and even increase fire risk.
Weather and climate
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Temperature - Average
65.4°F
63.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
69.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.2%
26.2%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
78.3%
78.2%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
13.8 in
12.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.5%
26.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
78.4%
78.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
21.9%
21.8%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
84.8%
84.6%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
62.9%
62.8%
Wind speed - Average
5.9 mph
5.8 mph
Average climate in Santa Ana, California
Average climate in Costa Mesa, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
2018
124
119
0.34
0.33
14.2
14.3
27.0
27.7
N/A
N/A
27.5
27.5
12.3
12.5
0.7
0.7
2017
129
116
0.35
0.28
13.9
12.6
29.1
31.3
N/A
N/A
26.7
26.7
13.6
13.8
0.5
0.5
2016
107
102
0.35
0.25
12.6
10.1
29.2
31.7
N/A
N/A
24.1
24.1
12.7
12.5
0.2
0.1
2015
128
106
0.32
0.25
13.4
11.3
29.6
32.4
N/A
N/A
25.0
25.0
14.7
14.5
0.2
0.1
2014
127
110
0.29
0.22
13.2
10.8
28.6
30.6
N/A
N/A
26.7
26.7
15.9
15.6
0.4
0.3
2013
123
107
0.34
0.26
13.9
11.8
27.6
29.8
0.003
0.003
28.8
29.4
14.0
14.1
0.3
0.2
2012
115
103
0.31
0.18
12.9
9.9
26.7
28.2
0.004
0.004
27.5
28.0
14.5
14.4
0.1
0.1
2011
118
109
0.31
0.23
14.8
11.9
27.1
28.5
0.006
0.006
27.5
27.7
15.9
15.9
0.7
0.6
2010
107
102
0.34
0.24
14.4
11.3
26.5
27.8
0.011
0.011
23.5
23.6
14.6
14.1
0.6
0.6
2009
133
118
0.35
0.29
16.0
13.1
27.7
29.4
0.010
0.010
24.4
24.3
14.9
14.6
1.1
1.1
2008
138
124
0.38
0.35
17.1
13.3
28.2
30.5
0.010
0.008
30.1
29.6
21.6
21.6
1.1
1.1
2007
121
100
0.36
0.31
17.0
13.3
27.1
28.7
0.012
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
0.8
2006
120
109
0.40
0.33
17.7
14.5
26.6
27.3
0.007
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
1.3
2005
119
91
0.40
0.30
18.2
13.7
28.3
29.8
0.013
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
1.3
2004
128
118
0.50
0.46
19.4
15.5
31.2
31.5
0.014
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
1.6
2003
139
116
0.64
0.60
22.3
18.5
28.3
33.7
0.029
0.046
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
1.1
2002
122
103
0.66
0.56
22.3
18.1
25.1
29.0
0.019
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
1.6
2001
120
109
0.76
0.66
22.6
17.3
25.1
28.4
0.036
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
1.4
2000
127
116
0.80
0.81
25.7
19.6
23.7
26.7
0.028
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
1.9
Natural disasters
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
19.1%
18.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
6,931.4%
6,824.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
32%
32%
Transportation
Public transportation in both cities is provided by the Orange County Transportation Authority. Santa Ana offers more extensive bus service due to its larger size. Both cities are serviced by the 405 and 55 highways facilitating commuting. Costa Mesa is also home to the John Wayne Airport providing easy access to air travel.
Transport
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
150
119
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
15
8
Means of transportation to work
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Bicycle
0.2%
0.7%
Bus
0.9%
0.7%
Carpooled
12%
9.3%
Car alone
83.6%
84.4%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.3%
Railroad
0.1%
0.3%
Walked
1.4%
2.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Average
30.4 min
27.1 min
Other means
25.5 min
23.3 min
Public transportation
48.1 min
42.5 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
84.6%
91.7%
In 2 person carpool
11.7%
4.9%
In 3 person carpool
2.7%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
0.6%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0%
0.4%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Santa Ana is more affordable relative to Costa Mesa. However, both cities offer attractive residential areas with housing options ranging from luxury apartments to suburb-style single-family homes. Costa Mesa's real estate is in greater demand due to its coastal location and its vibrant arts and culture scene. Both cities have seen significant growth in property values in recent years.
Neighborhoods
Santa Ana offers an eclectic mix of neighborhoods, ranging from historic homes to more contemporary housing options. Neighborhoods like Washington Square and Floral Park are notable for their historic charm. Costa Mesa is known for its upscale neighborhoods like Eastside Costa Mesa and Mesa Verde, offering a mix of suburban and urban lifestyles.
Houses and residents
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Houses
80,604
45,564
Average household size (people)
4.4
2.7
Median year apartment built
1974
1973
Median year house/condo built
1962
1967
Length of stay in the house since moving in
15.9 years
14.3 years
Houses occupied
78,674 (97.6%)
43,711 (95.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
35,317 (44.9%)
17,501 (40%)
Houses occupied by renters
43,357 (55.1%)
26,210 (60%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,407
$3,447
Median monthly housing costs
$1,836
$2,149
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$976,981
$642,079
Estimated median house or condo value
$623,000
$930,500
Median numbers of rooms
4.5
4.3
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.9
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.6
5.9
Median house price - detached houses
$724,856
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$512,474
$387,281
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$351,406
$935,348
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$406,926
$634,286
Median house price - mobile homes
$125,004
$110,359
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$492,339
$832,048
Median house price - All housing units
$648,392
Over $1,000,000
Median house age
53
50
Renting percentage
52.5%
60.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,969.6
2,915.3
House value disparities
21.7%
19.8%
Household income disparities
40.4%
40.5%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$120,617
$153,932
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$74,449
$62,944
Housing units without a mortgage
318 (1.2%)
285 (2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
1,175 (4.6%)
731 (5.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
25,378 (98.8%)
13,659 (98%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
23 (0.1%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
1,438 (5.6%)
1,186 (8.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
5
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.3%
1.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
One, detached
46.4%
38.1%
One, attached
5.8%
12.4%
Two
3.6%
3.9%
3 or 4
7.3%
9.7%
5 to 9
5.7%
7.9%
10 to 19
8.8%
8.4%
20 to 49
6.3%
5.6%
50 or more
11.0%
10.9%
Mobile homes
4.9%
3.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
13,591
8,250
State government workers
3,716
2,439
Unpaid family workers
355
45
Industries and Occupations
Healthcare, education, and retail trade dominate Santa Ana's occupational landscape. In contrast, Costa Mesa's economy is defined by professional services, retail trade, and arts and recreation. Many Costa Mesa residents are employed in management, business, and arts roles. Both cities boast a vibrant job market with ample opportunities in various fields.
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations
8.7%
6.1%
Production occupations
7.0%
1.2%
Healthcare support occupations
6.4%
2.9%
Management occupations
6.3%
15.1%
Business and financial operations occupations
4.8%
6.6%
Educational instruction, and library occupations
4.7%
9.2%
Personal care and service occupations
4.6%
7.9%
Material moving occupations
4.3%
1.5%
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations
3.0%
3.9%
Computer and mathematical occupations
2.0%
1.8%
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations
1.7%
0.4%
Transportation occupations
1.6%
1.1%
Health technologists and technicians
1.6%
0.6%
Legal occupations
1.5%
1.6%
Community and social service occupations
1.5%
1.4%
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
1.3%
5.3%
Firefighting and prevention, and other protective service workers including supervisors
0.5%
1.7%
Health Care
Both Santa Ana and Costa Mesa deliver quality healthcare to residents and visitors. Santa Ana has several health clinics and hospitals including Kindred Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Costa Mesa offers leading healthcare facilities like College Hospital Costa Mesa and Coastal Communities Hospital. The renowned University of California Irvine Health is also located nearby.
Santa Ana, being one of the oldest cities in Orange County, has developed infrastructure but faces challenges related to overcrowding in residential and commercial areas. On the other hand, Costa Mesa, known as the 'City of the Arts', has a strong emphasis on cultural infrastructure, with many theaters and galleries in the city. Costa Mesa's South Coast Plaza is one of the biggest shopping centers in the U.S., attracting many tourists each year.
Infrastructure
Type
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
Hospitals
9
6
TV stations
2
2
Bank branches located here
31
29
Bank institutions located here
13
17
Main business address for public companies
15
17
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Santa Ana
Costa Mesa
1999
955
367
2000
834
340
2001
725
233
2002
933
223
2003
1,222
351
2004
1,657
376
2005
2,302
518
2006
2,615
588
2007
1,456
375
2008
694
217
2009
399
107
Culture and Food
Santa Ana boasts a vibrant mix of cultural influences, reflected in its multitude of restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The city’s downtown area, known as the Santa Ana Arts District is a thriving cultural hub. Costa Mesa is known as the 'City of the Arts' and has a vibrant culinary scene, with the South Coast Plaza area offering high-end dining options.
Sports Teams
While neither Santa Ana nor Costa Mesa have major professional sports teams, they're both close proximity to Anaheim and Los Angeles which host major league basketball, baseball, and hockey teams. Local sports facilities in both cities cater to a variety of indoor and outdoor sports activities, making them attractive for sports enthusiasts at all levels.
Santa Ana, CA
Costa Mesa, CA
Santa Ana, CA and 
Costa Mesa, CA : 5.5 miles
