Mesa AZ vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 186,178 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.0 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 69.7% | 43.6% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 11.3% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $58,874 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $35,069 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 9.4% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 16.8% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 23.9% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 41.2% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 460 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2417 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 33.8% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.7% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 19.6% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
North Las Vegas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 68.8°F | North Las Vegas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.6 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 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