Allen TX vs Mesa AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Allen
55.7%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 11.2% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 10.6% | 4.4% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.5% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $78,779 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $39,586 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 10.5% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 31.5% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 64.3% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.6% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 15.5% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.0% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.4% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Mesa
71.8°F
Mesa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 71.8°F | Mesa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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