Los Angeles CA vs Mesquite TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
21.0%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Mesquite
37.8%
Mesquite +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
3.0%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 148,848 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.4 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 21.0% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 37.8% | Mesquite + |
| Black | 8.5% | 24.7% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 44.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Mesquite
12.4%
Mesquite +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $71,843 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $29,291 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.8% | Mesquite + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.4% | Mesquite + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 18.5% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Mesquite
63.2%
Mesquite +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $263,551 | Mesquite + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 63.2% | Mesquite + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Mesquite
442
Mesquite +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Mesquite
2339
Mesquite +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Mesquite + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Mesquite + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 46.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.7% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 23.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.4% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.5% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Mesquite
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Los Angeles +
Mesquite
35.6 min
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 35.6 min | Los Angeles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while mesquite offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $263,551. On public safety, Mesquite is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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