Mesa AZ vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 426,845 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 69.7% | 61.6% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.7% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 16.4% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 48.0% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.1% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.8% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 30.6 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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