| Index | Mesa | Arizona | National |
| Cost of living | 112 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Health care | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 131 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 103 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Mesa is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Mesa is 112, which is 12% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Mesa cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 31.1% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 28 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Mesa. The results indicated that 50% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 50% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Mesa affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Mesa, the median home price is 37.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 16.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Mesa boasting a median household income of $92,679, 14% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Mesa, the healthcare costs are 3.8% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
The Mesa cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $113,524 | $9,460 | $2,649 | $3,406 |
| Renters | $65,294 | $5,441 | $1,523 | $1,959 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arizona | 5.6% | 10.725% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arizona | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Guadalupe, AZ | 6,820 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Maricopa Colony, AZ | 836 | 98 | 1.6% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,698,457 | 113 | 12.9% |
| Tempe, AZ | 197,595 | 119 | 18.6% |
| Sun Lakes, AZ | 15,319 | 122 | 22.1% |
| Mesa, AZ | 521,218 | 112 | 12.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Sacramento, CA | 520,516 | 139 | 39.2% |
| Atlanta, GA | 514,426 | 119 | 18.7% |
| Kansas City, MO | 501,302 | 96 | 3.5% |
| Fresno, CA | 543,090 | 123 | 23.1% |
| Omaha, NE | 494,852 | 98 | 2.5% |
| Mesa, AZ | 521,218 | 112 | 12.3% |
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