Henderson NV 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)
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
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
Henderson
324,523
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Henderson
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Henderson
42.5
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Henderson
14.1%
Henderson +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Henderson
64.7%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Henderson
6.2%
Henderson +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Henderson
18.3%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Henderson
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 324,523 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.2% | Henderson + |
| White | 64.7% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 6.2% | 4.4% | Henderson + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Henderson
$62,696
Henderson +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Henderson
6.7%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Henderson
36.8%
Henderson +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,654 | $78,779 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,141 | $39,586 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Henderson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 10.5% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 31.5% | Henderson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Henderson
$487,098
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,098 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 64.3% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Henderson
460
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Henderson
2417
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Henderson
10.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Henderson
17.5%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Henderson
12.8%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.9% | 30.7% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.0% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Henderson
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Henderson
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Henderson, NV | 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.)
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Henderson
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Henderson
26.0 min
Henderson +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 26.7 min | Henderson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, 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 460 in Henderson. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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