349 movers in Costa Mesa

What to know when moving to Costa Mesa, CA

TL;DR: Costa Mesa at a Glance

The Vibe:
A highly educated ZIP where 46.3% hold a bachelor's degree and 58% of residents rent.
The Major Draw:
Median household income of $117,627, making it a prosperous area.
The Reality Check:
Median gross rent is $2,520, which may be high for some budgets.
Commute:
Only 1.8% use public transit, so plan on a car.
Top Tip:
Budget for $2,520/mo rent.

The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?

Costa Mesa features a population of about 50,569, with a median household income of $117,627, which reflects a relatively affluent community. The area has a strong renter presence, with 58% of residents renting their homes, and 46.3% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Expect mild winters with around 16 rainy days, which might be good news for those who prefer drier weather.

Probably not your spot if you are looking for a robust public transit system, as only 1.8% of residents commute using it.

Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot

  • Median gross rent is $2,520, which can strain budgets compared to other areas.
  • Median owner-occupied home value is $1,037,700, indicating a competitive housing market.
  • The poverty rate stands at 8.5%, suggesting a relatively stable economic environment.
  • About 58% of the population are renters, reflecting the area's appeal to those who prefer flexibility.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.

Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say

California's crime rates reflect a mixed picture with property crime rates higher than the national average but showing a downward trend over recent years.

  • Violent crime rate: 415.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 27.7% higher than the national average.
  • Property crime rate: 1,764 per 100,000 residents, 14% higher than the national average.
  • Notable trend: Violent crime decreased by 17.4% from 2022 to 2025.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).

Schools & Higher Ed

Costa Mesa has access to a range of educational institutions, with a total of 52 schools in the area.

  • Postsecondary institutions: 52
  • With College Scorecard data: 50
  • Notable nearby institutions include Coast Community College and Vanguard University of Southern California.

Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations (NCES) + College Scorecard (ED).

Weather & Getting Outside

Orange County sees about 15.6 inches of rain annually, with 42 rainy days. Most rain occurs in winter, while summer remains quite dry.

  • Parks & outdoor spots worth checking out: Disneyland Park (4.6 stars, 126,395 reviews), Disney California Adventure Park (4.7 stars, 77,237 reviews), and TeWinkle Park (4.7 stars, 1,494 reviews).

Source: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.

Jobs & the Local Economy

In Orange County, the job market is solid with a low unemployment rate.

  • Unemployment rate: 3.9% as of December 2025.
  • Employed: 1,578,358 individuals in the workforce.
  • Labor force: 1,642,351 individuals.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.

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Who regulates Costa Mesa interstate movers?

Costa Mesa moving companies are required to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) if they perform interstate moves. No matter if it is a moving company or a broker, they should have a valid DOT number. You can look up a mover here.

Agency: United States Department of Transportation
Address: 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington DC 20590
Phone: (855) 368-4200
Website: www.fmcsa.dot.gov

To see if a specific movers complies with regulations, simply select a company from the list.

Moving within vs moving out of California

Let's see how many people move within California versus those who moved from The Golden State to another state.

Moved Within CA
46%
Moved out of CA
54%

Out of all California household moves, approximately 46% of them have been local ones, with 54% of the people moving to another state in the country.

Despite being the home of the nation’s second- and third-largest urban economies (the Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area respectively), the majority of Californians have still chosen to move out of the state.

Who regulates California local movers

When contacting local California moving companies, make sure to check their cal-T number issued by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Household goods moving companies must obtain permits from the PUC after proving financial and safety fitness.

They must also prove that they have adequate insurance and they are subject to criminal background clearance by the California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Agency: California Public Utilities Commission
Address: SSRS Unit 505, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298
Phone: (800) 848-5580
Website: www.cpuc.ca.gov

The CPUC controls privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, along with passenger transportation companies.

What do people move within California?

Ever wondered which are the most popular move sizes when people move locally in CA?

Studio (7%)
1 Bedroom (22%)
2 Bedroom (26%)
3 Bedroom (22%)
4 Bedroom (7%)

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How much does it cost to hire movers

As it turns out, the cost to hire professional movers will effectively solve the ever-present dilemma of whether you should hire a mover or do it yourself. The cost depends on a number of important factors, including the type of the move itself (local move or a long distance). See the breakdown.

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