Mesa, Arizona
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Mesa.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Mesa?
For relocators asking how much Mesa costs: the housing index sits at 115 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $364,300 and rents near $1,478. Local median income is about $78,779 and unemployment recently ran 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 25 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 376.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 115U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $364,300U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,478U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $78,779U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 25 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 376.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 105°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Mesa compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 517,151City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $78,779Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 115ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $364,300City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,478City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year10% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 25 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3718% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 376.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)36% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1868.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)39% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 105°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals18.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 47°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 7.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals78% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 332As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals24% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Mesa grew 17.3% from 440,993 in 2010 to 517,151 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Mesa expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Mesa runs 15 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 115 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $364,300 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,478 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Mesa?
Budget first around $1,478/month rent or $364,300 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $364,300
- Median rent $1,478/month
- Median household income $78,779
What is the job market like in Mesa?
Labor-market context for Mesa: unemployment 4.7% and median income $78,779. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $78,779
How long is the typical commute in Mesa?
Plan on roughly 25 minutes each way in Mesa. Walk Score estimates around 37 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 25 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 37/100
Is Mesa safer than similar U.S. cities?
Mesa's FBI-derived violent rate (~376.9/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 376.9 per 100k
- Property 1868.7 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Mesa?
Mesa's climate profile: 105°F summer peaks, 47°F winter mornings, 7.2" annual rainfall, and 332 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 105°F
- Winter low 47°F
- 7.2 in rain · 332 sunny days
About 517,151 people live in Mesa, AZ. Households here report a median income near $78,779; our housing-derived cost index is about 115 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $364,300 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Desert heat and monsoon bursts define the outdoor calendar. Summer highs near 105°F make shade, pools, and strong A/C practical necessities. Commutes average near 25 minutes one-way, with walkability near 37/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.7% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates around 376.9 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Mesa sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Mesa with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Mesa city, 1600000US0446000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Maricopa County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023183 PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10