Mesa AZ vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Orem
10.5%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 86,973 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.9% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $70,053 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $33,579 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 12.7% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 25.6% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $509,396 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 60.9% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.1% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 13.3 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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