City Comparison
Tempe vs Mesa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Mesa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mesa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Tempe.
| Metric | Tempe | Mesa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,900 | +2% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,830 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tempe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Mesa.
| Metric | Tempe | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 70,408 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $82,752 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
| Metric | Tempe | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | 76.50°F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | 105.50°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 49.90°F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | 13.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 326 |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Mesa.
Mesa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tempe | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesa is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Tempe.
From a growth perspective, Tempe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Tempe | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 513,656 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Tempe and Mesa.
Open Cost Calculator