Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Costa Mesa | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $111,624 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $76,576 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.5% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 20.1% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Costa Mesa is about 15% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in Costa Mesa (6.5%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 20% of adults in Costa Mesa earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Costa Mesa, California grew by 76.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $111,624 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Costa Mesa | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Costa Mesa | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.559 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $80,495 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $72,477 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 10.0% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Costa Mesa, it is 0.559, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 11% more than women's income in Costa Mesa, California. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $280,630 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Costa Mesa, California has widened from about 4% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,028 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Costa Mesa | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 20.2% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 3,371 people are unemployed in Costa Mesa, California.
The average commute time in Costa Mesa is 20 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Costa Mesa, California has fallen from 7.8% to 4.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Costa Mesa, California has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than California, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Costa Mesa, California.
How Rich Is Costa Mesa, California?
Costa Mesa has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $111,624, about 15% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Costa Mesa, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Costa Mesa, California is $111,624.
What was the median household income in Costa Mesa in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Costa Mesa, California was $111,624.
What was the median household income in Costa Mesa in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Costa Mesa, California was $91,403.
What is the Gini coefficient in Costa Mesa, California?
The Gini coefficient in Costa Mesa is 0.559. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Costa Mesa, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Costa Mesa, California has widened from about 4% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,028 since 2009.