Mesa AZ vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 75,721 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 69.7% | 48.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.2% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 6.8% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $765,686 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 45.2% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Renton
16.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 40.1 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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