Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
11.2%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 507,478 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 26.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $78,779 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,586 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 30.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 13.0% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.4% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 71.8°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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