Mesa AZ vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 69.7% | 53.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Phoenix
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $77,041 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.1% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 14.3% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 57.1% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Phoenix
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Phoenix
2150
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, 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%
Mesa +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 32.3% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.8% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.2% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.3% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.2% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Mesa +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 72.1°F | Mesa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, 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 +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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