Costa Mesa Neighborhood
Is Central Costa Mesa a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Costa Mesa, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe214
Medium119
Low184
Other1603
219 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape29
Child involved178
Assault33
Other14
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid was dispatched to building number (number withheld) Slater Avenue near Hawthorne and Water Streets. Valley Truck 31 responded with district code 3320 Zulu. | Building 7, 10293 Slater Ave #202, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid dispatched near Orchard Drive at Riverside Drive, district 4028 Whiskey, with a bravo response on 3.5. | Orchard Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid dispatched near Zion Court at Columbia River Court involving Valley Engine 31 with a Bravo response. | Zion Ct, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, an automatic carbon monoxide alarm was reported at a residence near Vista Roma and Vista Del Oro in Newport Beach, with Engine 67 dispatched to the scene. | Vista Roma, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews are responding to a reported odor of gas outside a building near South Hickory Street in Santa Ana. | S Hickory St, Santa Ana, CA 92707 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency involving a toxic patient was reported near West Stanford Street. Fire unit Engine 77 was dispatched to the location. | W Stanford St, Santa Ana, CA 92704 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews respond to a reported automatic commercial fire alarm at a facility in the Newport Center area near San Clemente Drive and Santa Barbara Drive in Newport Beach. | San Clemente Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews are dispatched to a possible commercial fire alarm activation at a facility near San Clemente Drive in Newport Beach. | San Clemente Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a high-priority medical call was reported near Watermarke Place in Irvine, with Truck 4 responding under a Delta-level response code. | Watermarke Pl, Irvine, CA 92612 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, an officer conducts a vehicle stop near Mooncrest Circle in Huntington Beach for possible registration issues involving at least one older Ford. Radio traffic also mentions another vehicle with registration in progress and a release of liability for a related party. | Mooncrest Cir, Huntington Beach, CA 92646 | Traffic |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$1,538,583
Average Rent
$4,043
Vacancy Rate
7.7%
Overview
Central Costa Mesa is an urban neighborhood in Costa Mesa, CA, with a mix of medium to small homes and apartment complexes. Many residences were built between 1940 and 1999.
The neighborhood is wealthy with very low child poverty and a notable concentration of same-sex couples, reflecting a diverse and inclusive community.
UrbanWealthyLow Child PovertyDiverse
Quick Facts
| Same-Sex Couples | 1.8% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Central Costa Mesa's housing includes medium to small single-family homes and apartment complexes, with a balanced owner and renter mix and moderate vacancy.
| Owner Occupied Rate | |
|---|---|
| Housing Type Mix | Medium to small single-family homes and apartment complexes/high-rises |
| Homes Built 1940-1969 |
What buyers will notice right away
Includes a range from studios to four-bedroom homes.
Vacancy rate near the national median suggests balanced supply and demand.
Families & Lifestyle
The neighborhood has a wealthy population with a strong professional workforce and a significant student presence.
Student Population — Over 10% of residents are enrolled in college, influencing neighborhood dynamics.
| Executive, Management & Professional Occupations | 43.8% |
|---|---|
| Sales and Service Occupations | 27.8% |
Demographics
| Wealthy Neighborhood | Higher income than 85.9% of U.S. neighborhoods |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| Foreign Born Residents | 18.8% |
| Top Languages | ["English (73.6%)","Spanish","Vietnamese","Japanese (2.0%)"] |
| Top Ancestries | ["German (12.5%)","Asian (10.2%)","Mexican (8.6%)","English (8.0%)","Irish (7.8%)","Brazilian (3.8%)","Canadian (1.5%)"] |
Commute
Most residents have short commutes and rely heavily on private vehicles, with some carpooling.
Central Costa Mesa offers shorter commutes and a strong car-dependent culture typical of many U.S. neighborhoods.
Short Commutes — Nearly half commute between 15 and 30 minutes.
Car-Dependent — Majority drive alone, with some carpooling.
| Main Commute Time | 15-30 minutes (46.7%) |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 62.5% |
| Carpool Rate | 6.5% |
Homes for sale near 92626
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Central Costa Mesa?
The median home price is $1,538,583, higher than 84.3% of California neighborhoods.
How common are same-sex couples in Central Costa Mesa?
1.8% of residents live with a same-sex partner, higher than 96.2% of U.S. neighborhoods.