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Costa Mesa Real Estate and Neighborhood Guide
Where Character Meets Coastal Living.
Living in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is one of those cities where you need to explore the individual neighborhoods, because the housing can be eclectic. That is a big part of its personality, and it is why I never describe Costa Mesa in one sentence to a client.
Location is a huge advantage here. Costa Mesa sits right next to Newport Beach, so you can enjoy Newport's beaches, restaurants, shopping and coastal lifestyle without necessarily paying Newport Beach home prices. And Costa Mesa has plenty of its own destinations: South Coast Plaza is one of the area's major shopping destinations, Segerstrom Center for the Arts is close by, and the city has built a great restaurant, coffee and local business scene.
Let's Start With a Conversation
How Jeanette Nelson Real Estate serves Costa Mesa
Every successful real estate journey begins by listening. Before I talk about a price or a strategy, I ask questions and write down your exact words, so I understand your goals, your timeline and what matters most. Then I build a personalized plan with a real timeline and coordinate the moving pieces myself.
In a city as varied as Costa Mesa, that plan matters. A single-family home on the Eastside, a townhome, and a property with an accessory unit are three different conversations about value, buyers and marketing. If you are thinking about selling your home in Costa Mesa, we start with what makes your property and your street different.
For buyers, I help you understand what you are looking at, because two homes a few blocks apart can differ in zoning, lot configuration and layout. My guide to buying a home in Costa Mesa walks through what to expect.
I am a REALTOR® with Jeanette Nelson Real Estate at Keller Williams Realty, a top producer since 2003, ranked in the top 2% of California agents by sales volume (RealTrends Verified, 2025 data), with more than $227 million in residential sales and 150+ five-star reviews.
One city, very different neighborhoods
One of the things that makes Costa Mesa unique is that you have to understand it neighborhood by neighborhood. Eastside, Mesa Verde and Westside Costa Mesa can feel entirely different from one another.
Costa Mesa's varied residential zoning and mix of older homes, newer construction, condos, townhomes and multi-unit properties create an eclectic housing market. Two homes only a few streets apart can offer very different property characteristics.
That's why I encourage buyers to explore more than home prices. Look at the neighborhood, lot, zoning, surrounding properties and lifestyle to understand what you're buying.
Eastside Costa Mesa
Eastside Costa Mesa is one of those neighborhoods where location stands out. It sits right next to Newport Beach, with easy access to the coast, Back Bay, shopping, dining and everything along 17th Street.
One of the things I like about the Eastside is that the homes aren't all the same. You'll find original cottages and bungalows alongside remodeled homes and newer custom properties. That variety gives the neighborhood a lot of character and means buyers can find very different types of homes even within a relatively small area.
For someone who loves the Newport Beach lifestyle yet wants to explore options right outside Newport Beach itself, Eastside Costa Mesa is an area worth knowing.
Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde has a different feel from Eastside Costa Mesa. It's known for established residential streets, mature landscaping and neighborhoods that tend to feel a little more spacious.
You'll find a mix of single-story and two-story homes, many with larger yards, along with access to parks, golf and nearby shopping. It's a great example of why you can't describe Costa Mesa with one type of housing or one lifestyle. Each part of the city has its own personality.
For buyers who want a more traditional neighborhood setting while staying close to the beach, shopping and the rest of Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde is an area I often suggest exploring.
Westside Costa Mesa
Westside Costa Mesa is one of the more interesting parts of the city because of its variety. You'll find everything from established residential pockets to newer development, condos, townhomes and properties shaped by Costa Mesa's different zoning.
It's also convenient to Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, so it's worth a look if you want to stay close to the coast without being in a traditional beach neighborhood.
The Westside has continued to evolve over the years, and that's part of what makes it interesting. Depending on the street, the housing and overall feel can change considerably, which is why knowing the individual neighborhoods matters when you're buying here.
Costa Mesa housing and home types
Unlike communities dominated by one type of tract development, Costa Mesa has a mix of residential zoning and development patterns. Depending on the area, you will find single-family homes alongside duplexes and other multifamily properties, condos, townhomes, accessory units, older cottages, remodeled homes and newer construction.
Here is a snapshot of Costa Mesa averages from my July 2026 market update:
- All residential: average price $1,736,500, 38 average days on market, 97.00% sale-to-list ratio
- Single-family homes: average price $1,950,488, 38 average days on market, 97.20% sale-to-list ratio
- Condos and townhomes: average price $932,778, 29 average days on market, 97.40% sale-to-list ratio
With this much variety, citywide averages only tell part of the story. When you are ready, I will pull the numbers for your street and your type of property.
Getting around and daily life
For commuters, Costa Mesa is convenient. You have access to the 55, the 405 and the 73, and you are close to Irvine, Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.
The trade-off compared with Huntington Beach is that Costa Mesa is not a beach city. You can live close to the ocean, particularly in parts of Eastside Costa Mesa, yet you won't have Huntington Beach's miles of coastline, beachfront bike path, pier and surf-town setting outside your door. My Huntington Beach guide and Fountain Valley guide explain how the three cities compare.
As with any city, I always recommend verifying the assigned schools for a specific property rather than assuming based on the neighborhood.
Let's start with a conversation
Whatever is bringing you to Costa Mesa, you do not have to have every answer before you call. Tell me what you are hoping for, and I will build a plan around your goals and your timeline. Reach out here or call me at (714) 366-8575.
Your Goals. Your Plan. Our Guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of homes are in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa has a mix of residential zoning, so depending on the area you will find single-family homes alongside duplexes and other multifamily properties, condos, townhomes, accessory units, older cottages, remodeled homes and newer construction.
Is Costa Mesa close to the beach?
Costa Mesa is not a beach city, yet parts of Eastside Costa Mesa are close to the ocean, and Newport Beach's beaches are right next door.
Which freeways are near Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa has access to the 55, the 405 and the 73, and it is close to Irvine, Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.
How is Costa Mesa different from Huntington Beach?
Costa Mesa offers some of the greatest variety in housing and neighborhood character, central Orange County access and Newport Beach next door. Huntington Beach gives you the coastal city itself, with miles of coastline, the beachfront bike path and the pier.
Buying in Costa Mesa
The method
How we do it in Costa Mesa
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