Why Live in Downtown Costa Mesa
Downtown Costa Mesa blends suburban living with city amenities, offering a coastal community near the beach in Orange County. Homes range from traditional California ranch styles built between the 1920s and 1960s to more recent contemporary designs, including single-family houses, condos, and townhomes. Houses vary in size from about 1,000 to over 3,000 square feet. The area is known for its walkability, with sidewalks lining the streets providing easy access to shops, restaurants, and community parks. The active 17th Street near Newport Boulevard is a local hotspot featuring popular places like Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee and Playa Mesa. For groceries, residents can swing by Trader Joe’s.
The neighborhood is close to numerous annual events, including the Orange County Fair, community runs, and holiday celebrations. Newport-Mesa Unified School District serves the area, with highly rated schools such as Costa Mesa High School, which offers a Mandarin Chinese dual immersion program. For recreation, Lions Park provides a playground, picnic areas, and a baseball diamond, while the Downtown Recreation Center offers various sports courts and programs. Heller Park is a dog-friendly space with a playground and open grassy areas.
The beach is just a few miles west, with Huntington State Beach offering surfing and paved trails. The neighborhood's proximity to major thoroughfares like the Costa Mesa Freeway, I-405, and the Pacific Coast Highway ensures easy connectivity to nearby cities such as Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, and Orange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Costa Mesa a good place to live?
Downtown Costa Mesa is a good place to live. Downtown Costa Mesa is considered fairly walkable and very bikeable with some transit options. Downtown Costa Mesa is a neighborhood with a crime score of 4, on par with the average neighborhood in the U.S. Downtown Costa Mesa has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 15.1 people per acre and a median age of 38. The average household income is $136,725 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 49.1% of residents. A majority of residents in Downtown Costa Mesa are renters, with 66.5% of residents renting and 33.5% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Downtown Costa Mesa can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Downtown Costa Mesa neighborhood guide.
Is Downtown Costa Mesa, CA a safe neighborhood?
Downtown Costa Mesa, CA is a safe neighborhood and is on par with the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 4 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Downtown Costa Mesa?
The median home price in Downtown Costa Mesa is $1,799,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $359,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.1%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $8,720 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $374K a year to afford the median home price in Downtown Costa Mesa. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Downtown Costa Mesa is $137K.
What are the best public schools in Downtown Costa Mesa?
The best public schools that serve Downtown Costa Mesa are:
What are the best private schools in Downtown Costa Mesa?
The best private schools that serve Downtown Costa Mesa are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA?
Home Trends in Downtown Costa Mesa, CA
On average, homes in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa over the last 12 months is $1,775,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$1,775,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$2,200,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,370,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,210,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,064
Number of Homes for Sale
15
Last 12 months Home Sales
100
Median List Price
$1,799,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%