Mesa, AZ, known as 'The City of Canals,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Located in central Arizona, Mesa is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale enhance its status as a central point in the region. Mesa's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Mesa is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Mesa Arts Center, the Arizona Museum of Natural History, and the historic Mesa Grande Cultural Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Usery Mountain Regional Park to the bustling Downtown Mesa, known for its local shops and restaurants. Mesa's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Arizona Renaissance Festival and the Mesa Music Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Mesa's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Mesa is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Mesa Symphony Orchestra and the i.d.e.a. Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Mesa provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Mesa’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Cubs (spring training) and the Mesa Solar Sox (Arizona Fall League), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Mesa include aerospace, education, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Boeing and Banner Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and the Valley Metro light rail, making it easy to navigate the city.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Nothing Found
This area did not exhibit any cons, as none of the categories were rated low enough.
Located in the state of Arizona, Mesa is a highly populated city with a population of 508,918 inhabitants. In Mesa, there are 3,667 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. The majority of Mesa residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and American Indian and Alaskan. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Mesa are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 17% of the population also speak Spanish. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Mesa, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 25 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Mesa could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Arizona if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, health & safety, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Mesa and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Mesa to Arizona and the national average.
With a livability score of 82 out of 100, Mesa is ranked #854 in the United States and #2 in Arizona. Compared to the United States average, Mesa ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Mesa has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Mesa ranks well for cost of living (A-), education (A+) and housing (A+).
If you're living in Mesa, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Mesa an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Mesa are: Salt River Tubing, Mesa Arts Center, and Golfland Sunsplash.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Mesa apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Mesa real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Mesa. Median real estate prices in Mesa come in at $245,500, which is 38.8% higher than the Arizona average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Mesa, the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 14.3% higher than the Arizona average.
| Statistic | Mesa | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.3% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.2% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.4% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 9.1% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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