Mesa AZ vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 316,241 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 69.7% | 39.2% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $33,716 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.0% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 12.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 25.7% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $648,603 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 56.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.6% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 34.1 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. 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, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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