Mesa AZ vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 69.7% | 36.1% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 15.2% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $60,698 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $37,669 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 8.4% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 22.0% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 52.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 48.5 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 34.5 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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