Mesa AZ vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 307,188 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 69.7% | 16.5% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.9% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $48,416 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $25,509 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 10.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 24.7% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 17.4% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $482,675 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 24.1% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 35.9% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.0% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 23.4% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.2% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 46.3 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA