Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.2 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 72.7% | 69.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 2.5% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Mesa
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $78,779 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $39,586 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.6% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 10.5% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 31.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $435,670 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 64.3% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Mesa
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Mesa
2150
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.1% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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