Mesa AZ vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 69.7% | 39.1% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 11.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.5% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 14.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $580,173 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 41.1% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 24.0% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | 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
Mesa +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 32.8 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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