Mesquite TX vs Norwalk CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesquite
148,848
Mesquite +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesquite
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Mesquite
21.0%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Mesquite
37.8%
Mesquite +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Mesquite
3.0%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Mesquite
44.7%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Mesquite
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 100,713 | Mesquite + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.5 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 37.8% | 24.0% | Mesquite + |
| Black | 24.7% | 4.2% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesquite
$71,843
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Mesquite
$29,291
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesquite
$63,758
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Mesquite
12.4%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesquite
18.5%
Norwalk
21.3%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.6% | Mesquite + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 21.3% | Norwalk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Mesquite
63.2%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $263,551 | $765,319 | Mesquite + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
442
Mesquite +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
2339
Mesquite +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Mesquite + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Mesquite + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
46.4%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
12.9%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesquite
18.7%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
23.4%
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
18.5%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 15.4% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.3% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesquite
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesquite
35.6 min
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 32.1 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while mesquite offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $263,551. On public safety, Mesquite is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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