Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 11.2% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 0.6% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 2.5% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 26.6% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 30.7% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 11.7 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 503 in Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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