Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- 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
Casper
N/A
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Mesa
11.2%
White
Casper
N/A
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Casper
N/A
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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
Casper
N/A
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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 | $77,800 | $59,120 | Casper + |
| 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
Casper
$308,116
Casper +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $435,670 | Casper + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Casper, WY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 450 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2150 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Casper +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Casper + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Casper +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | 71.8°F | Casper + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Casper offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $308,116. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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