Mesquite TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mesquite
148,848
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesquite
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Mesquite
21.0%
Mesquite +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Mesquite
37.8%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Mesquite
3.0%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Mesquite
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 19.0% | Mesquite + |
| White | 37.8% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 24.7% | 7.8% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 41.8% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesquite
$71,843
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Mesquite
$29,291
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesquite
$63,758
Mesquite +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Mesquite
12.4%
Mesquite +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesquite
18.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Mesquite + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.1% | Mesquite + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 14.3% | Mesquite + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Mesquite
63.2%
Mesquite +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $263,551 | $411,323 | Mesquite + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 57.1% | Mesquite + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
442
Mesquite +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Mesquite + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
46.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
12.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesquite
18.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
23.4%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
18.5%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.3% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesquite
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesquite
35.6 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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