Irvine vs Costa Mesa: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
Irvine is 56% safer. Irvine population: 318,764. Costa Mesa population: 108,881.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living
Cost of living data is not available for Costa Mesa. Try the salary calculator for cities with data.
Safety: Irvine vs Costa Mesa
Irvine is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 residents vs Costa Mesa's 26.4. Irvine earns a B+ safety grade compared to Costa Mesa's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Irvine
California
Costa Mesa
California
| Metric | Irvine | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 11.6/1K | 26.4/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 60.0 | 468.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1100.0 | 2174.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.9 | 6.1 |
| Assault Rate | 42.6 | 347.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.2 | 104.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 172.1 | 325.8 |
| Theft Rate | 730.0 | 1640.6 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 262.4 | 505.4 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Irvine, you have a 1 in 86 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Costa Mesa.
Climate Comparison
Climate data is only available for Irvine. A full comparison requires both cities.
Irvine Climate Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
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