Mesa AZ vs Norwalk 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 100,713 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 69.7% | 24.0% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.2% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $31,989 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 21.3% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $765,319 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, 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%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Norwalk
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.7% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.4% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, 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 +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 32.1 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. 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, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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