Kailua HI 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)
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- 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
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
11.2%
White
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Kailua, HI | 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
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kailua
$63,296
Kailua +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Kailua, HI | 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 | $63,296 | $59,120 | Kailua + |
| 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
Kailua
$1,530,716
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,530,716 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kailua
2592
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 450 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kailua
26.5%
Kailua +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kailua
9.8%
Kailua +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kailua
15.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kailua
18.3%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kailua
14.9%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 30.7% | Kailua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.6% | Kailua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.7% | 13.0% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kailua
69.3°F
Kailua +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kailua
107.9 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.3°F | 71.8°F | Kailua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 107.9 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kailua
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kailua
N/A
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kailua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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