City Comparison
Mesa vs Yuma
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yuma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mesa
Yuma
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Mesa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mesa's average rent is
27% higher than Yuma's.
| Metric | Mesa | Yuma | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,500 | +27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,830 | $2,420 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mesa offers 25% higher 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 Mesa is estimated at
$58,000 vs $48,000 in Yuma.
| Metric | Mesa | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $55,200 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,408 idx | 59,355 idx |
| Household Income | $82,752 | $65,482 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.90000000000001°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Mesa | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | 77.40°F |
| Summer High | 105.50°F | 107.10°F |
| Winter Low | 49.90°F | 51.00°F |
| Rainfall | 13.30 in | 5.80 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | 347 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Mesa.
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 | Mesa | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesa is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Yuma.
From a growth perspective, Yuma is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Yuma has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mesa | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 513,656 | 105,227 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 33.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Yuma
Advantages
Over 340 days of sunshine annually provide an exceptional climate for outdoor recreation and winter warmth.
Housing and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average and neighboring California markets.
Major stability provided by large military installations (MCAS Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground).
World-class recreational access to the Colorado River for boating, fishing, and water sports.
A rich bicultural community offering vibrant local culture and exceptional authentic dining.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 105°F, requiring heavy air conditioning use.
High seasonal unemployment rates driven by cyclical agricultural harvesting schedules.
High degree of car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure.
Summer utility bills can surge significantly due to continuous cooling requirements.
Lower average educational attainment rates compared to national benchmarks in specific segments.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Yuma
#187Arizona, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$55,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
347/yr
Avg Temp
77.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
70
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