Sweet Orange

Note: The Altos Market Action Index shows the balance between potential buyers and sellers, in other words, the balance between supply and demand. Above 30 is a sellers’ market; below 30 is a buyers’ market.

Also, these Altos Research numbers are for detached houses only (condos are not included). For this reason, I have included numbers that show the percentage of hones in each city that are detached houses. The Redfin numbers are for both houses and condos.

To see additional information from Redfin including which homes are currently on the market as well as what homes have sold for recently, click on the Redfin link. To see additional Altos Research numbers for each city, click on the Altos Research link.

Summary: When comparing the North, Central and South Orange County housing markets, North Orange County is in the best shape, next is Central Orange County, and last is South Orange County. As is true for the North and Central areas, the low-end of the South Orange County market is in better shape than the high-end.

The housing difficulties started with the low-end of the Orange County housing market and worked their way up to the high-end of the market. Likewise, when this downturn first started, the housing difficulties were more prevalent in North Orange County (an area that is generally less expensive than Central or South Orange County), and then reached Central Orange County and is currently having the biggest impact on South Orange County.

High-end Laguna Beach, the only South Orange County city that saw a decrease in the Altos index number, went deeper into a buyers’ market. And according to the Altos index numbers, the more affordably priced Aliso Viejo has the strongest housing market in South Orange County. For more on the Aliso Viejo housing market, see Jon Lansner’s post “Hardest O.C. city to find a home? Aliso Viejo!”

However, according to the Altos index numbers, all South Orange County housing markets are buyers’ markets. The bottom line is that no level or area of the Orange County housing market is being spared during this downturn.

Following are some recent Altos Research and Redfin numbers for the South Orange County housing market:

Aliso Viejo: approximate % homes on market that are detached–25%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 22.68
  September 20, 2009: 20.37
  July 19, 2009:  18.09
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $595,254
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$244/SF; condo–$186/SF

Coto De Caza: approximate % homes on market that are detached–85%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  n/a
  
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  n/a
• Redfin median sold price:
  n/a

Dana Point: approximate % homes on market that are detached–70%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 14.75
  September 20, 2009: 14.32
  July 19, 2009: 15.68
• Altos median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $1,053,46
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$264/SF; condo–$493/SF

Ladera Ranch: approximate % homes on market that are detached–70%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 19.40
  September 20, 2009: 17.38
  July 19, 2009: 6.20
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $834,077
• Redfin median sold price
  September 2009: house–n/a

Laguna Beach: approximate % homes on market that are detached–80%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 13.39
  September 20, 2009: 13.69
  July 19, 2009: 11.84
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $2,281,775
• Redfin median sold price
  September 2009: house--$1646/SF; condo–$374/SF

Laguna Hills: approximate % homes on market that are detached–50%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 18.69
  September 20, 2009: 16.27
  July 19, 2009: 13.26
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $850,712
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$405/SF; condo–$142/SF

Laguna Niguel: approximate % homes on market that are detached–60%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 18.26
  September 20, 2009: 16.69
  July 19, 2009: 15.23
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $791,188
• Redfin median sold price
  September 2009: house–$304/SF; condo–$239/SF

Laguna Woods: approximate % homes on market that are detached–5%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 6.48
  September 20, 2009: 3.04
  July 19, 2009: 6.07
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $260,054
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$244/SF; condo–$153/SF

Note: Laguna Wood is a 55+ community. HOA fees are usually at least $600; many are substantially higher than this.

Lake Forest: approximate % homes on market that are detached–60%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 19.40
  September 20, 2009: 16.95
  July 19, 2009: 17.37
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $515,250
• Redfin median sold price
  September 2009: house–$276/SF; condo–$254/SF

Mission Viejo: approximate % homes on market that are detached–70%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 21.04
  September 20, 2009: 18.69
  July 19, 2009: 16.23
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $539,279
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$302/SF; condo–$252/SF

Rancho Santa Margarita: approximate % homes on market that are detached–55%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 18.83
  September 20, 2009: 16.45
  July 19, 2009: 16.64
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $546,546
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$299/SF; condo–$279/SF

San Clemente: approximate % homes on market that are detached–75%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 16.07
  September 20, 2009: 14.95
  July 19, 2009: 12.67
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $869,131
• Redfin median sold price
  September 2009: house–$222/SF; condo–$345/SF
  

Note: The price per square foot for a San Clemente house is down 40% from the previous month; the condo price is down only 1%.

San Juan Capistrano: approximate % homes on market that are detached–65%

• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 15.03
  September 20, 2009: 13.24
  July 19, 2009: 10.86
• Altos median list price for detached houses:
  October 18, 2009: $1,021,748
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$289/SF; condo–$124/SF

Note: The Altos Market Action Index shows the balance between potential buyers and sellers, in other words, the balance between supply and demand. Above 30 is a sellers’ market; below 30 is a buyers’ market.

Also, these Altos Research numbers are for detached houses only (condos are not included). For this reason, I have included numbers that show the percentage of hones in each city that are detached houses. The Redfin numbers are for both houses and condos.

To see additional information from Redfin including which homes are currently on the market as well as what homes have sold for recently, click on the Redfin link. To see additional Altos Research numbers for each city, click on the Altos Research link.

Summary: Once again, the markets for all Central Orange County housing are buyers’ markets. However, according to the Altos index numbers, the Central Orange County housing market is stronger than it was in September. And in general, according to the index numbers, the lower-priced home markets are stronger than the high-priced areas. For example, compare Newport Beach, Seal Beach and Villa Park Altos index numbers to the Santa Ana index number.

One more point on the Altos index numbers for Central Orange County cities: Seal Beach showed the least movement since last month, and Los Alamitos showed the biggest increase. correction made 10-21-09 sw

Following are some recent Altos Research and Redfin numbers for the Central Orange County housing market:

Costa Mesa: approximate % homes on market that are detached–70%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 20.96
  September 13, 2009: 18.97
  July 12, 2009: 21.13
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $570,626
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$403/SF; condo–$217/SF

Fountain Valley: approximate % homes on market that are detached–80%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 23.86
  September 13, 2009: 20.72
  July 12, 2009: 26.05
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $598,615
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$307/SF; condo–$304/SF

Huntington Beach: approximate % homes on market that are detached–70%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 17.86
  September 13, 2009: 16.63
  July 12, 2009: 14.50
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $770,762
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$344/SF; condo–$344/SF

Irvine: approximate % homes on market that are detached–45%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 19.21
  September 13, 2009: 17.18
  July 12, 2009: 18.31
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $863,177
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$338/SF; condo–$318/SF

Los Alamitos: approximate % homes on market that are detached–75%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 16.83
  September 13, 2009: 12.31
  July 12, 2009: 11.90
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $860,346
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$260/SF; condo–$275/SF

Newport Beach: approximate % homes on market that are detached–65%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 13.61
  September 13, 2009: 11.04
  July 12, 2009: 11.42
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $1,998,992
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$789/SF; condo–$504/SF

Orange: approximate % homes on market that are detached–85%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 19.96
  September 13, 2009: 18.15
  July 12, 2009: 19.26
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $552,197
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$254/SF; condo–$213/SF

Santa Ana: approximate % homes on market that are detached–65%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 23.04
  September 13, 2009: 20.40
  July 12, 2009: 21.75
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $339,523
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$236/SF; condo–$103/SF

Seal Beach: approximate % homes on market that are detached–25%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 14.89
  September 13, 2009: 14.24
  July 12, 2009: 12.91
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $980,553
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$398/SF; condo–$592/SF

Tustin: approximate % homes on market that are detached–50%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 20.18
  September 13, 2009: 17.55
  July 12, 2009: 19.09
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $629,922
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$372/SF; condo–$156/SF

Villa Park: approximate % homes on market that are detached–100%

• Altos Research Market Index Number:
  October 18, 2009: 16.09
  September 13, 2009: 14.33
  July 12, 2009: 8.43
• Altos median list price for detached house:
  October 18, 2009: $1,202,962
• Redfin median sold price
  September 2009: house–$376/SF; condo–n/a

Note: The Altos Market Action Index shows the balance between potential buyers and sellers, in other words, the balance between supply and demand.  Above 30 is a sellers’ market; below 30 is a buyers’ market.

Also, these Altos Research numbers are for detached houses only (condos are not included). For this reason, I have included numbers that show the percentage of hones in each city that are detached houses. The Redfin numbers are for both houses and condos.

To see additional information from Redfin including which homes are currently on the market as well as what homes have sold for recently, click on the Redfin link. To see additional Altos Research numbers for each city, click on the Altos Research link.

Following are some recent Altos Research and Redfin numbers for the North Orange County housing market.

Summary: In general, according to the Altos Research index numbers, the housing market is improving in North Orange County. However, the housing markets for all North Orange County cities are still buyers’ markets. Then again, Garden Grove and Stanton, which have Altos index numbers just shy of 30, are approaching a sellers’ market. As has been true for some time, the low-end of the housing market in North Orange County is doing better than the high-end.

Anaheim: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 70%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $374,408
  August 16,2009: $364,232
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 26.24
  August 16, 2009: 22.19
  July 5, 2009: 23.69
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$241/SF; condo–$217/SF

Brea: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 90%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $551,288
  August 16,200: $550,327
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 19.98
  August 16, 2009: 16.57
  July 5, 2009: 20.14
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$271/SF; condo–$207/SF

Buena Park: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 85%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $363,731
  August 16,2009: $357,945
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 26.23
  August 16, 2009: 21.09
  July 5, 2009: 23.32
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$266/SF; condo–$174/SF

Cypress: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 70%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $532,196
  August 16,200: $502,327
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 22.57
  August 16, 2009: 20.12
  July 5, 2009: 25.82
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$276/SF; condo–$217/SF

Fullerton: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 80%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $561,908
  August 16,2009: $545,955
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 21.24
  August 16, 2009: 18.90
  July 5, 2009: 21.41
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$248/SF; condo–$208/SF

Garden Grove: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 80%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $377,958
  August 16,200): $376,622
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 29.34
  August 16, 2009: 26.00
  July 5, 2009: 27.56
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$280/SF; condo–$214/SF

La Habra: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 70%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $481,831
  August 16,2009): $508,236
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 22.75
  August 16, 2009: 21.56
  July 5, 2009: 21.64
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$241/SF; condo–$142/SF

La Palma: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 80%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $581,795
  August 16,2009): $606,200
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 21.99
  August 16, 2009: 18.77
  July 5, 2009: 18.65
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: n/a

Placentia: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 75%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $526,823
  August 16,2009): $527,559
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 20.33
  August 16, 2009: 18.14
  July 5, 2009: 20.49
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$252/SF; condo–$126/SF

Stanton: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 65%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $314,192
  August 16,2009: $309,736
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 29.45
  August 16, 2009: 25.48
  July 5, 2009: 23.67
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$238/SF; condo–$200/SF

Westminster: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 85%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $451,135
  August 16,2009) $451,536
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 27.03
  August 16: 23.12
  July 5, 2009: 27.83
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$274/SF; condo–$202/SF

Yorba Linda: Approximate % homes on market that are detached: 80%

• Altos Research median list price:
  October 18, 2009: $772,069
  August 16,2009: $804,377
• Altos Research Market Action Index:
  October 18, 2009: 17.42
  August 16, 2009: 15.00
  July 5 2009: 17.88
• Redfin median sold price:
  September 2009: house–$248/SF; condo–$260/SF

The Irvine Company rolled out the first sales for Ivy (the new construction development in Irvine’s Woodbury East housing development) in a way that resulted in the quick sellout of phase one, two and three and, therefore, created a lot of buzz. In addition to creating a lot of buzz, the marketing plan for Ivy also provides some insight into what prices the current housing market will allow.

Since the Ivy sales do provide some insight into what price the housing market will currently bear, I imagine that I will be comparing many Orange County home prices to the  Ivy prices.

I already compared Ivy prices to some Portola Spring home prices. Portola Springs home prices are easy to compare to Ivy prices; they are in the same area, look similar, are condos only (at least, the ones that I referenced), and both are new or newly new construction.

Today, something more complicated: Today, I will compare some three-bedroom Costa Mesa detached, resale home prices to the Ivy three-bedroom prices.

For review, three-bedroom homes in the Irvine’s Ivy development, which are all condos, are priced as follows:

• 1394 square feet–$400,990 ($288/SF)
• 1500 square feet–$441,990 ($295/SF)
• 1503 square feet–$421,990 ($281/SF)

Ivy Mello Roos fees are about $3,971 per year. HOA dues are about $134 monthly for the master association and $175 monthly for the sub-association.

With all this in mind, what do you think? Are the prices for the three-bedroom Costa Mesa homes that are listed below reasonable for current market conditions? All of these Costa Mesa homes are detached, single-family homes, with no Mellos Roos fee and no HOA fees. Also, note that all the homes listed below are short sales except for the home at 1118 Paularino Avenue.

3209 Colorado Place, Meas Verde, CA 92626

• Asking price: $399,000 ($259/SF)
• What: 1959 detached house with 1543 SF. From the listing description: “Needs TLC - may have structural damage.”
• HOA: none listed
• This is a short sale.

2112 Wallace Avenue, Central Costa Mesa, CA 92627

• Asking price: $400,000 ($340/SF)
• What: 1955 detached house with 1176 SF
• HOA: none listed
• This is a short sale.

570 Traverse Drive, South Coast Metro, CA 92626

• Asking price: $430,000 ($239/SF)
• What: 1965 detached home with 1796 SF
• HOA: none listed
• This is a short sale.

2923 Peppertree Lane, Mesa Verde, CA 92626

• Asking price: $434,900 ($305/SF)
• What: 1959 detached house with 1426 SF and a backyard Jacuzzi
• HOA: none listed
• This is a short sale.

1118 Paularino Ave, Central Costa Mesa, CA 92626

• Asking price:$439,000 ($285/SF)
• What: 1963 detached house with 1538 SF and a swimming pool
• HOA: none listed

3129 Dublin Street, South Coast Metro, CA 92626

• Asking price: $439,000 ($366/SF)
• What: 1957 detached house with 1200 SF and a pool, spa, outdoor fireplace, and built-in BBQ
• HOA: none listed
• This is a short sale.

As a recent post shows, homes in low-priced areas such as parts of Anaheim, Stanton, and Garden Grove are selling much better than homes in the high-priced areas. MDA DataQuick reports the same:

Sales rose 120 to 150 percent in parts of Anaheim and Stanton where prices ranged from $250,000 to $310,000, reports MDA DataQuick.–”Housing sales jump,” The Orange County Register

The Register article goes on to say that brokers are reporting that homes above $500,000 continue to sell slowly.

So, to check this out, let’s take a look at what is happening in two of these ZIPs that have homes priced on the lower end of the market: Anaheim’s 92804 and 92805.

A DataQuick/Orange County Register chart shows that the number of home sales in July in the 92804 ZIP  increased by 11.9% when compared to the July 2008 sales numbers. However, Trulia shows that the May 2009 to July 2009 sales in the 92804 ZIP decreased by 25.2% when compared to prices of one year ago.

In addition, DataQuick reports that in July Anaheim’s 92805 ZIP, had the second highest increases in the number of sales in Orange County when compared to the same time last year (+123.1%). However, Trulia numbers show a less impressive increase. According to Trulia,  the May 2009 to July 2009 sales in the 92805 ZIP increased by 7.1% when compared to prices of one year ago.

Trulia’s numbers cover a longer time period and, therefore, it is not surprising that the numbers differ. However, watching the numbers from these two sources in the coming months to see if they converge or continue in different directions will be interesting. They should give a clearer picture of which Orange County areas are seeing increases in the number of homes sold and by how much.

In yesterday’s post, I compared two similarly priced homes in Irvine’s 92602 ZIP code. If you are interested in buying a home in this area (or just curious), here is a look at some recent housing statistics for this ZIP that might help.

As reported by Redfin, the housing numbers for Irvine’s 92602 ZIP code, which includes Irvine’s Northpark and West Irvine neighborhoods, were as follows in July 2009. The graphs, courtesy Redfin, are in descending order: 92602 inventory, 92602 detached house price per square foot, 92602 condo price per square foot.

Homes on market (inventory)

• detached house–56
• condos–72

Median price per square foot

• detached house
  list–$346/SF
  sold–n/a

• condo
  list–$318/SF
  sold–n/a

Price reductions*:

• Percentage of home with price reductions
  Detached house–38.9%
  Condo–33.3%
• Total percent of the reduction
  Detached house–5.7%
  Condo–3.6%

Median days on Redfin*

• Detached house: 68
• Condo: 48

Also note that the Redfin’s overall list price for the 92602 ZIP in July 2009 was $595,000, and the May 2009 sold price was $628,000. In addition, 25 homes in this ZIP sold in May 2009.

*Based on homes sold or taken off the market between June 3, 2009 and September 1, 2009

According to Redfin, Irvine’s July housing stats broken down by detached houses and condos categories were as follows. Note that condos play a significant role in Irvine’s housing stock, In July, 59% of the Irvine homes that were on the market were condos.

Home on the market (Inventory)

• Detached house: 487
• Condo: 701

Median price per square foot

• Detached house
  List: $370/SF
  Sold: $322/SF
• Condo
  List: $343/SF
  Sold: $328/SF

Price reductions*:

• Percentage of home with price reductions
  Detached house–36.1%
  Condo–37.1%
• Total percent of the reduction
  Detached house–7.4%
  Condo–6.3%

Days on Redfin*

• Detached house: 62
• Condo: 66

Also note that Redfin’s overall list price in July 2009 was $620,000, and the May 2009 sold price was $570,000. In addition, 239 Irvine homes sold in May 2009.

*Based on homes sold or taken off the market between June 2, 2009 and August 31, 2009

Source: Redfin

Back in May, I wrote that the Altos Market Action Index numbers are showing the low-end of the Orange County housing market to be healthier than the high-end. An article by Kelli Hart in Sunday’s Orange County Register backs up the theory (”Luxury homes fall into slump“). It seems that the high-end of the housing market is going through something similar to what the low-end has experienced.

Hart gives these Real Data Strategies numbers:

From July 2008 to the end of June, home priced at $1 million and more received an average price reduction of 14.2 percent. By comparison, homes priced at $500,000 and less received an average price reduction of 7.6 percent.

And Hart quotes broker Phil Immel as saying:

“Last recession, in the early ’90s, oceanfront (houses) dropped 50 percent before stabilizing.”

Following are the current Altos Research index numbers for some of the high-end  Orange County housing markets. Above 30 is a sellers’ market; below 30 is a buyers’ market. For comparison, Irvine is currently 18.01, and Costa Mesa is currently 17.70. And often criticized Santa Ana scores best with an index number of 20.53. Santa Ana’s current list price for a single-family home, according to Altos Research, is $326,573.

I also included, in bold, the current (August 16, 2009) Altos median list price for each of these housing markets.

Altos Market Action Indexes

• Corona Del Mar: $2,411,818 median list price
  May 22, 2009: 12.28
  August 16, 2009: 9.97
• Dana Point: $1,040,681 median list price
  May 22, 2009: 12.16
  August 16, 2009: 13.68
• Laguna Beach: $2,270,116 median list price
  May 22, 2009: 10.38
  August 16, 2009: 13.27
• Newport Beach: $1,948,468 median list price
  May 22, 2009: 10.11
  August 16, 2009: 9.80
• Newport Coast: $3,157,636 median list price
  May 22, 2009: 10.18
  August 16, 2009: 11.54
• Villa Park: $1,247,864 median list price
  May 22, 2009: 7.36
  August 16, 2009: 10.78

Since its incorporation in 1953, the city has grown from a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 to a suburban city with an economy based on retail, commerce and light manufacturing.–Wikipedia

For more information on Costa Mesa history and statistics, see the Wikipedia’s Costa Mesa entry.

Related post: “Market Watch: Costa Mesa Housing Stats and Foreclosures”

Income: The estimated median household income in 2007 was $63,619; the estimated per capita income in 2007 was $31,218. The 2008 cost of living index in Costa Mesa was 152.1 (very high, U.S. average is 100).

CNNMoney states that Costa Mesa’s 2008 median family income was $71,450.

Note: Household and family income do not have the same definition.

Population Density: The land area is 15.6 square miles. On January 1, 2009, the population was 116,479. Density was 7,448 people per square mile.

2008 FBI Crime Data: For 2008 Costa Mesa crime statistics, see the FBI Uniform Crime Report data provided by the OC Register.

But in two Orange County cities - Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach - the number of violent crimes increased in 2008, according to the FBI’s preliminary report of 2008. Violent crimes in Costa Mesa increased by 36 percent, with the bulk of the increase occurring in reported robberies and aggravated assaults.–Salvador Hernandez, “Two O.C. cities buck trend of lower violent crime, says FBI,” The Orange County Register

2000 U.S.  Census Crime Data: