Mesa AZ vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.6 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 69.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.4% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 11.3% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 12.8% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $538,687 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 52.8% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3001 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.3% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.7% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.7% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 78.3 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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