Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 11.2% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 69.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 4.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $78,779 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $39,586 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 10.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 31.5% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 64.3% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 30.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 15.5% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.4% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.7 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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