Mesa AZ vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 396,488 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 10.0% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 66.6% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 18.4% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $63,072 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $35,958 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.7% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 15.9% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 30.9% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 58.4% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2174 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 39.5% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.7% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.3% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 32.6 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA