Mesquite TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesquite
148,848
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesquite
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Mesquite
21.0%
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Mesquite
37.8%
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Mesquite
24.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Mesquite
3.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Mesquite
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.1 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 14.6% | Mesquite + |
| White | 37.8% | 36.1% | Mesquite + |
| Black | 24.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 15.2% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesquite
$71,843
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Mesquite
$29,291
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesquite
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Mesquite
12.4%
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesquite
18.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $60,698 | Mesquite + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.4% | Mesquite + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 22.0% | Mesquite + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesquite
$263,551
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Mesquite
63.2%
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $263,551 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 52.3% | Mesquite + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
46.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesquite
18.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
23.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
13.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
18.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Mesquite +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesquite
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Mesquite + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesquite
35.6 min
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 34.5 min | Philadelphia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesquite leads in median household income at $71,843, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Mesquite. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Mesquite has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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