Mesa AZ vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 268,959 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.3 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 69.7% | 63.5% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 3.2% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 24.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $78,448 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 12.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $570,934 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 49.4% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 460 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2417 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Reno
13.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.9% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
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, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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