Moving from San Mateo, CA to Costa Mesa, CA
Moving from San Mateo, CA to Costa Mesa, CA covers 409 mi and about 7h 43m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
409 mi Β· 7h 43m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Irvine, Corona, Riverside, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Costa Mesa and San Mateo are close on the overall BEA RPP (115.613 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 1.8% lower in Costa Mesa than San Mateo as of 2026-03.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 11.2" |
Costa Mesa runs 6.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.7Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 38 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Costa Mesa is 1.8% below San Mateo ($152,669 vs $110,073, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 27.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 16.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 409 mi and the route typically takes 7h 43m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 409 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 1.8% lower than San Mateo (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Costa Mesa, CA.