Mesa AZ vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 79,526 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 40.7 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 69.7% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 4.4% | 5.0% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 4.7% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $514,358 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.5% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | 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 +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA