Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.2 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 72.3% | 69.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $78,779 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $39,586 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 10.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 31.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 30.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.4% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 71.8°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.7 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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