Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.2 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 39.9% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 46.9% | 4.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $78,779 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $39,586 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 31.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $435,670 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 30.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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