Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 75.9% | 69.7% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 4.4% | Davenport + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $435,670 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 450 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2150 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 71.8°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.7 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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