Mesa AZ vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 149,519 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.6 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 6.8% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 19.2% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Surprise
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 31.0% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Surprise
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Surprise
2150
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 32.8 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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