Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.2 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 68.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 5.9% | 4.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $78,779 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $39,586 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 10.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 31.5% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $435,670 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 64.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 26.7 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Broken Arrow 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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