Mesa AZ vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 114,303 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 69.7% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.1% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 18.9% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $62,800 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $26,755 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.7% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 22.3% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $486,127 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 39.9% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Provo
30.7%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 30.7% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 21.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 19.8 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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