City Comparison
Buckeye vs Mesa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Mesa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mesa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Buckeye.
| Metric | Buckeye | Mesa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,900 | +3% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,830 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mesa offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mesa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Mesa.
| Metric | Buckeye | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 70,408 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $82,752 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
| Metric | Buckeye | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | 76.50°F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | 105.50°F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | 49.90°F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | 13.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 326 |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mesa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Mesa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mesa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesa is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Buckeye.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mesa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 513,656 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
Mesa
Advantages
Average rent sits at $1,900 per month as of late 2026 per Zillow data, offering competitive rates compared to neighboring coastal or West Coast metros.
Mesa features over 326 sunny days per year, providing an ideal climate for outdoor enthusiasts and active lifestyles.
The city's median household income has grown steadily to roughly $82,752 per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Extensive investments in the Falcon Field and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport corridors continue to spur high-paying advanced manufacturing and aerospace jobs.
World-class recreational escapes like Usery Mountain Regional Park and the Salt River offer immediate access to hiking, kayaking, and desert scenery.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 105.5°F make outdoor daytime activities challenging during peak summer months.
Heavy car dependency across Mesa's 142 square miles can lead to localized rush-hour congestion on major freeways.
Rapid population growth has driven up housing and property values, placing a strain on first-time home buyers.
Regional air quality during certain winter atmospheric inversions can experience elevated particulate pollution levels.
Public transit coverage outside of the light rail corridor and major bus lines can be limited for car-free commuters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
Mesa
#274Arizona, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
76.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
Business
72
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