Mesa AZ vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 115,546 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 8.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.2% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 23.7% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $528,447 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 63.7% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.7% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 28.6 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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