Costa Mesa
Arts, dining, and South Coast Plaza — Orange County’s creative, walkable heart, minutes from the beach.
Living in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is a vibrant, centrally located Orange County city of roughly 110,000 residents, known as the county’s arts and culture hub. It’s home to South Coast Plaza — one of the nation’s top luxury shopping destinations — the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the eclectic SoBeCa and 17th Street districts packed with independent restaurants, craft breweries, and design shops. Bordering Newport Beach, it delivers coastal proximity and urban energy at a noticeably more attainable price.
For buyers, Costa Mesa is one of central OC’s best values, blending walkable neighborhoods, newer developments, and classic mid-century pockets. Homes range from condos in the $600Ks to renovated Eastside and Mesa Verde single-family homes well above $2M. Prices rose nearly 8% over the past year, and with limited inventory, well-located, updated homes continue to draw strong demand.
Neighborhoods
- Eastside Costa Mesa — Walkable, tree-lined streets near 17th Street dining
- Mesa Verde — Established, golf-adjacent neighborhood with larger lots
- South Coast Metro — Condos and towers by South Coast Plaza and the arts
- Halecrest — Family-friendly mid-century homes with a community pool
- College Park — Quiet, central neighborhood near Vanguard University
- Mesa del Mar — Sought-after mid-century tract with strong community feel
- Westside / SoBeCa — Revitalized arts district with lofts and creative spaces
What buyers should know
As of 2026, Costa Mesa’s median home price is around $1.48M — up nearly 8% year-over-year, one of the stronger gains in the area. It’s a balanced market with about 138 homes for sale, roughly a month of supply, and homes closing near 98% of asking with about 30% selling above list. Updated homes in Eastside and Mesa Verde move quickly, so buyers should be ready to act, while sellers of turnkey homes are seeing strong, competitive offers.
Schools
Costa Mesa is served by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, with campuses including Costa Mesa High and Estancia High plus several well-regarded elementary and middle schools; some northern neighborhoods feed into top-rated Newport Beach schools. Families also value proximity to private options and Vanguard University, and school boundaries can meaningfully influence home values across the city.
Lifestyle
Few OC cities match Costa Mesa’s lifestyle: world-class shopping at South Coast Plaza, performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and a nationally recognized food-and-drink scene along 17th Street and in the SoBeCa district. Add the Orange County Fair, TeWinkle and Fairview Parks, and a five-minute drive to Newport Beach, and you get a walkable, creative, centrally located lifestyle with the coast right next door.
Life in Costa Mesa
Buying or selling in Costa Mesa?
Whether you’re buying your first condo near South Coast Plaza, moving up to an Eastside home, or selling in Mesa Verde, I’ll give you honest, local guidance every step of the way. Let’s talk about your goals — no pressure.
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What is the median home price in Costa Mesa?
As of 2026, the median home price in Costa Mesa is approximately $1.48M, up nearly 8% year-over-year. Condos start in the $600Ks, single-family homes in Eastside and Mesa Verde commonly range from $1.3M to $2M+, and larger renovated homes exceed $2.5M.
What are the best neighborhoods in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa’s most sought-after neighborhoods include Eastside for walkability and dining, Mesa Verde for larger lots and golf-course living, South Coast Metro for condos near the arts, and mid-century favorites like Halecrest and Mesa del Mar.
Is Costa Mesa a good place to live?
Yes — Costa Mesa is one of central Orange County’s most vibrant, walkable cities, prized for its arts and dining scene, South Coast Plaza, parks, and quick access to Newport Beach, at a more attainable price than the beach cities.
What is Costa Mesa known for?
Costa Mesa is known as Orange County’s arts and culture hub — home to South Coast Plaza, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the OC Fair, and a nationally recognized restaurant and craft-beverage scene.
How are Costa Mesa schools?
Costa Mesa is served by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, including Costa Mesa and Estancia High Schools, with some northern areas feeding into top Newport Beach schools.
What is the Costa Mesa real estate market like in 2026?
In 2026, Costa Mesa is a balanced but appreciating market — prices are up nearly 8% year-over-year with about a month of inventory. Homes close near 98% of asking and roughly 30% sell above list.
What is special about Eastside Costa Mesa?
Eastside Costa Mesa is one of the city’s most desirable areas, known for walkable, tree-lined streets, proximity to 17th Street’s shops and restaurants, and a mix of cottages, updated homes, and newer builds.