Moving from West Covina, CA to Costa Mesa, CA
It is a short 35 mi hop from West Covina, CA to Costa Mesa, CA β roughly 49 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
35 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 55, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Irvine, Corona, Santa Ana, Long Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $852,373 to $1,413,322 moving to Costa Mesa.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Covina | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 11.2" |
Annual average temperatures in West Covina (65.1Β°F) and Costa Mesa (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.66 |
Households in Costa Mesa earn about 0.0% more at the median β 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 West Covina vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $98,570 in West Covina β a 11.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from West Covina 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 35 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 35 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via CA 57 and CA 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $852,373 in West Covina β a 65.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA Β· Costa Mesa, CA.