Cost of living comparison
Costa Mesa is 12.5% cheaper than Washington.
- Restaurants
-
pay 4.8% less in Costa Mesa
- Groceries
-
pay 7.5% less in Costa Mesa
- Transportation
-
pay 1.4% more in Costa Mesa
- Housing
-
pay 15.2% more in Costa Mesa
- Childcare
-
pay 51.6% less in Costa Mesa
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 18.9% less in Costa Mesa
- Clothing
-
pay 21.6% less in Costa Mesa
The cost of housing and transportation in Costa Mesa are more expensive than in Washington. Expenses including childcare, clothing, entertainment and sports, groceries, and restaurants are lower in Costa Mesa.
If you lived in Costa Mesa instead of Washington, you would:
pay 4.8% less for restaurants
|
Washington
|
Costa Mesa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$25.00
|
$20.00
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.00
|
$11.00
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.78
|
$3.00
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.22
|
$2.25
|
|
pay 7.5% less for groceries
|
Washington
|
Costa Mesa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.34
|
$3.86
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.84
|
$5.56
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.14
|
$4.13
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.91
|
$3.41
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$6.73
|
$4.35
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.70
|
$2.00
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.85
|
$0.99
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.46
|
$2.31
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.59
|
$2.62
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.55
|
$2.00
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.61
|
$1.48
|
|
pay 1.4% more for transportation
|
Washington
|
Costa Mesa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.66
|
$4.81
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$75.00
|
?? | |
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$35,699.74
|
$25,499.50
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$23.88
|
?? | |
pay 15.2% more for housing
|
Washington
|
Costa Mesa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$66.46
|
$66.67
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,582.95
|
$2,798.67
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$2,028.70
|
$2,466.67
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$146.65
|
$191.41
|
|
pay 51.6% less for childcare
|
Washington
|
Costa Mesa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$2,273.25
|
$1,100.00
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$38,250.00
|
?? | |
pay 18.9% less for entertainment and sports
|
Washington
|
Costa Mesa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$8.00
|
$7.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.55
|
$5.50
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$11.75
|
$11.00
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$106.36
|
$40.00
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$17.18
|
$15.10
|
|
pay 21.6% less for clothing
|
Washington
|
Costa Mesa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$74.13
|
$51.67
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$50.77
|
$48.75
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$105.47
|
$86.67
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$178.48
|
$117.25
|
|
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