Mesa AZ vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 220,482 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.3 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 69.7% | 59.4% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 13.1% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.3% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 12.0% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $496,966 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 56.5% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 37.3% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.7% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 39.2 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, 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
Mesa +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 31.1 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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