Mesa AZ vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 194,338 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.1 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 69.7% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.4% | 3.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 19.7% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Peoria
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $488,428 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Peoria
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Peoria
2150
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 31.2 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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