Mesa AZ vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 470,763 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 69.7% | 53.8% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 12.7% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $435,807 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 51.2% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 30.9% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.6% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 46.2 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Mesa 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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