Mesa, AZ vs Tempe, AZ

Mesa is moderately more affordable than Tempe, with a 7.6% lower cost of living index. Mesa scores 111 compared to 120 for Tempe, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Tempe can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month compared to $1,623/month in Tempe — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mesa is more affordable at $364,300 median vs $421,900.

Median household income in Mesa is $78,779 compared to $77,643 in Tempe (+1.5%). 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 25.1% in Tempe.