Costa Mesa, CA town hall & government
Costa Mesa spent $163.2 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,452 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Costa Mesa's government.
Who runs Costa Mesa
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Costa Mesa's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Sales taxes 53%
- Property taxes 26%
- Interest, fines & other 5%
- Other taxes & licenses 5%
- From the state 5%
- Fees & charges 4%
- From the federal government 1%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Costa Mesa
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Huntington Beach Union High School District
Costa Mesa's high school district, shared with Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Westminster and Garden Grove. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal
- Local 55%
- State 35%
- Federal 9%
Of the $18,463 per pupil, $10,924 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Costa Mesa: Newport-Mesa Unified School District ($25,216 per pupil) · Santa Ana Unified School District ($24,720 per pupil).
Which schools Costa Mesa kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Costa Mesa pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Costa Mesa's government
Who represents Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Dave Min. Gavin Newsom is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.