Mesa AZ vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Overland Park
4.9%
Overland Park +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 143,720 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.6 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 10.7% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.9% | Overland Park + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 12.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $487,466 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2174 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | 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 +
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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