Mesa AZ vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 186,419 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 69.7% | 60.1% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 23.1% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $77,643 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.7% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 16.2% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $468,328 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 41.6% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Tempe
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Tempe
2150
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.6% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.3% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Tempe
71.3°F
Tempe +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 71.3°F | Tempe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, 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
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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