Median rent is 1% lower in Phoenix ($1,458/mo vs $1,478/mo). Buying is cheaper in Mesa, where the median home runs $364,300 versus $381,900. Households earn more in Mesa ($78,779 vs $77,041 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (103.9).
City A
Mesa, AZ
City B
Phoenix, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Phoenix, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Mesa, AZ?
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Mesa
Arizona
Phoenix
Arizona
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,478/mo in Mesa and $1,458/mo in Phoenix. Median home values are within 5% of each other: $364,300 in Mesa and $381,900 in Phoenix.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Arizona's top income tax rate is 2.50% versus 2.50% in Arizona, so Phoenix is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 5.60% in Arizona and 5.60% in Arizona; Phoenix has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Mesa
Income tax: 2.50%
Sales tax: 5.60%
Phoenix
Income tax: 2.50%
Sales tax: 5.60%
Phoenix has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 67.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Phoenix if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 52.0).
Is Mesa cheaper than Phoenix?
Mesa is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 103.9 versus 103.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Mesa.
How much is rent in Mesa vs Phoenix?
Median rent is $1,478/mo in Mesa, AZ and $1,458/mo in Phoenix, AZ. Phoenix, AZ has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Mesa or Phoenix?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ. Mesa, AZ has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Phoenix, AZ has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 67.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Mesa or Phoenix?
Arizona's top income tax rate is 2.50% and Arizona's is 2.50%. Phoenix, AZ has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match my Mesa income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Mesa, AZ is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology