COLD

Cost of Living in Mesa, AZ

Population 507,478 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

117
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

As one of the larger cities in Arizona, Mesa carries the economic weight typical of a major metro — diversified employment, a broader housing market, and household incomes around $78,779 that reflect a mix of high and low earners.

Cost Overview

Housing 119
Rent 112

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Mesa

The median home value in Mesa is $364,300 — 19% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,478/month, 12% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,779/year is 6% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Arizona's top state income tax rate is 2.5% and the combined sales tax is 8.4%. Overall, Mesa has a cost of living index of 117 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 17% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$364,300
19% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$432,763
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,478/mo
12% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,554/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.5x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$985
1 BR
$1,055
2 BR
$1,373
3 BR
$1,877
4 BR
$2,092
Owner-occupied 64.3%
Renter-occupied 35.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,478
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,092/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.9 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.7%
Carpooled
11.1%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
1.4%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
16.9%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 2.5%
Total Sales Tax 8.4%
State rate 5.6%
Avg local rate 2.8%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$78,779
6% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,586
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Labor Force Participation
65.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.9%
Graduate degree 10.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.2
Male median age 35.8
Female median age 38.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 72 — Moderate
11.2%
Good air days/yr
183
Max AQI recorded
91
PM2.5 days
193
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mesa, AZ?

Mesa has a cost index of 117 (100 = national average). It is 17% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mesa, AZ?

The median gross rent in Mesa is $1,478 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mesa?

The median home value in Mesa is $364,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mesa?

The median household income in Mesa is $78,779 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mesa, AZ?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mesa is 8.4%. The Arizona state income tax top rate is 2.5%.

Is Mesa, AZ affordable?

Mesa is above average in cost of living, with an index of 117 — about 17% higher than the national average.

Mesa at a Glance

Population
507,478
Median Income
$78,779
Home Value
$364,300
Median Rent
$1,478/mo
Unemployment
4.6%
Sales Tax
8.4%
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