Costa Mesa in short: The typical home is worth about $1,412,000 as of August 2026, up 6.3% in a year, against about $1,179,000 across Orange County. About 170 homes are for sale. Homes that sell go under contract in about 23 days. Typical rent is about $3,150 a month. First-time buyers can combine county and state down payment programs.
Costa Mesa calls itself the City of the Arts, and it earns the name with Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Plaza. It sits between Newport Beach and Santa Ana, close to the coast without coastal prices, which makes it one of Orange County's most active housing markets.
Neighborhoods change character quickly. The Eastside has larger lots and a strong remodeling market close to Newport Beach, Mesa Verde has homes near the Costa Mesa Country Club golf courses, and the Westside mixes older homes with newer townhomes. The OC Fair and Event Center, Orange Coast College and Vanguard University are all in town.
Home values sit above the county's typical figure but well below Newport Beach next door. Buyers usually trade lot size, the age of the home and distance to the beach against each other, and I show what each option really costs to own.
Costa Mesa housing market, August 2026
Home values in Costa Mesa are up 6.3% from a year ago and up 17.8% over three years. Homes that sell are going under contract in about 23 days. About 26.6% of listings have had a price cut, which tells you how much room there is to negotiate. For comparison, the typical home value across Orange County is $1,179,000. At the typical rent and value, the gross rental yield is about 2.7% a year before expenses.
Sources: Zillow Research (home value and rent indexes, inventory, days to pending, price cuts) and Realtor.com Research, data through August 2026. These are market-wide figures, not an appraisal of any one home. See the Orange County market report for the county trend.
What a typical Costa Mesa home costs to own
20% down
$9,299/month
- Down payment$282,339
- Principal and interest$7,476
- Property tax$1,294
- Insurance$529
Income to qualify: about $399,000 a year
10% down
$10,816/month
- Down payment$141,170
- Principal and interest$8,410
- Property tax$1,294
- Insurance$529
- Mortgage insurance$582
Income to qualify: about $464,000 a year
Estimates on the typical home value of $1,412,000 at the 6.95% 30-year fixed average (2026-09-17), with property tax at 1.1% and insurance at 0.45% of value a year, and income at 28% of gross for housing. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. Not a loan quote. Down payment programs below can cover part of the down payment. See 20 years of mortgage rates.
Neighborhoods in Costa Mesa
- Eastside Costa MesaLarger lots close to Newport Beach, with many rebuilt and remodeled homes.
- Mesa VerdeEstablished homes near the Costa Mesa Country Club golf courses.
- Westside Costa MesaOlder homes alongside newer townhomes and live-work developments.
- College ParkMid-century homes near Orange Coast College.
- Near South Coast PlazaCondos and townhomes close to the shopping and arts district and the 405.
Schools
Newport-Mesa Unified School District serves Costa Mesa. Always confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district.
Getting around
The 405, the 55 and the 73 all run through the city, and John Wayne Airport is minutes away.
Down payment help for Costa Mesa buyers
Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) Open
OC Housing and Community Development
A deferred second loan at 3% simple interest of up to $120,000 for low-income and $80,000 for moderate-income first-time buyers. The price must be at or below 85% of the county median sales price.
Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Open
County of Orange, administered by National Homebuyers Fund
A federal income tax credit on part of the mortgage interest you pay, every year for the life of the loan. Income up to 115% of area median income, and it stacks with MAP and other programs.
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program Open
California Housing Finance Agency
A deferred junior loan of up to 3% of the price toward the down payment or closing costs, paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. No monthly payment until you sell, refinance or pay off the loan.
See every program you may qualify for
Program terms from the official program pages, last checked September 2026. Income and price limits apply and funds can close without notice, so confirm current terms before you rely on them.
Costa Mesa ZIP codes at a glance
| ZIP | Median asking price | Per sq ft | Homes for sale | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92626 | $1,600,000 | $792 | 45 | 55 |
| 92627 | $1,450,000 | $789 | 72 | 47 |
Realtor.com Research listing data by ZIP code, August 2026. A ZIP code can cross city lines.
Costa Mesa real estate questions
How much does a home cost in Costa Mesa?
As of August 2026, the typical home value in Costa Mesa is about $1,412,000, up 6.3% from a year earlier, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. The median asking price for homes listed that month was about $1,527,000. Condos and townhomes usually sit below the typical value and larger detached homes above it.
What is the monthly payment on a typical home in Costa Mesa?
At the typical value of $1,412,000, with 10% down and a 6.95% 30-year fixed rate, the full monthly cost including property tax, insurance and mortgage insurance is about $10,816. Lenders would usually look for household income around $463,543. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. This is an estimate, not a loan quote.
Is there down payment help for Costa Mesa buyers?
Yes. Countywide, first-time buyers in Costa Mesa can look at the Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program and the Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate, and statewide at CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program. Income and price limits apply, and the right combination depends on your situation. The finder on this site lists more than 40 programs across Southern California.
Is Costa Mesa close to the beach?
Yes. Most of Costa Mesa is a short drive from the beaches in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, and the Eastside and Westside sit only a few miles from the sand. That access at lower prices than the coastal cities is a big reason buyers look here.
Official resources
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