Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
192,270
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 11.2% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 1.7% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 2.5% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $78,779 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $39,586 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 31.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 30.7% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 13.0% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Glendale +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 71.8°F | Glendale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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