Mesa AZ vs Salt Lake City 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 203,888 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 69.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.7% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 20.8% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $74,925 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 13.4% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $580,126 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 46.8% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.2% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 16.1 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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