Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 507,478 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.2 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 27.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 60.0% | 4.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 31.5% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $435,670 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 450 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2150 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.1% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 71.8°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 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, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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