Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
11.2%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 507,478 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 26.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $78,779 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,586 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $435,670 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 450 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2150 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 15.5% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 71.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Island, NE vs New York, NYGrand Island, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Island, NEGrand Island, NE vs Houston, TXGrand Island, NE vs Phoenix, AZGrand Island, NE vs Philadelphia, PA