Mesa AZ vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 218,614 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 69.7% | 50.8% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $77,899 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $34,656 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.3% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 20.3% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $447,353 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 58.4% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.2% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.1% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.0% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.5% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.7% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 13.1 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 30.5 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, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. 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, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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