Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Mesa, AZ

    Is Mesa a good place to live?

    Watch Mesa

    Mesa ranks #27 of 38 Arizona cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (44/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.8% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $364,300
    +11.2% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,478
    per month
    Household income
    $78,779
    median
    Unemployment
    4.6%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Mesa

    The median home value in Mesa is $364,300 and median rent is $1,478 a month, against a median household income of $78,779. Homes cost about 4.6× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Mesa crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Arizona the 2025 rate was 383 violent and 1,541 property crimes per 100,000 people — #20 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Mesa, AZ

    Mesa has about 507,478 residents, 4.6% unemployment and 21% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Mesa with

    Mesa vs PhoenixMesa vs TucsonMesa vs ChandlerMesa vs GilbertMesa vs GlendaleMesa vs ScottsdaleMesa vs PeoriaMesa vs Tempe

    More: Where to move in Arizona · Best counties in Arizona

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report