Mesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZ

Mesa, AZ and Phoenix, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Mesa scores 111 while Phoenix scores 112 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month compared to $1,458/month in Phoenix — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Phoenix has cheaper rent, Mesa actually has lower median home values ($364,300 vs $381,900).

Median household income in Mesa is $78,779 compared to $77,041 in Phoenix (+2.3%). Mesa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mesa spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.7% in Phoenix.