Mesa AZ vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 135,806 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 69.7% | 49.1% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $708,498 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 47.5% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 53.2 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 30.1 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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