Mesa AZ vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 209,529 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.0 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 69.7% | 38.0% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.4% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 14.7% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $685,544 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 47.2% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Yonkers
11.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | 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 +
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 37.5 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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