Mesa AZ vs Miami FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Miami
446,663
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 446,663 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.7 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 69.7% | 34.2% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Miami
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $59,390 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 19.2% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $580,996 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 27.2% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.3% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Mesa +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 75.8°F | Mesa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 64.1 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 29.9 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. 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, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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