Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Denver
62.9%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 507,478 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.4% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.5% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 26.6% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $78,779 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $39,586 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 31.5% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Mesa
15.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 30.7% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.6% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.4% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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