Signals
Mesa
Tempe
Opportunity
38 · Bottom 15%
vs38 · Bottom 15%
Growth
42 · Bottom 35%
vs55 · Top 42%
Climate
59 · Bottom 12%
vs59 · Bottom 12%
Physical resilience
47 · Bottom 37%
vs47 · Bottom 38%
Housing affordability
66 · Bottom 28%
vs55 · Bottom 14%
Access
99 · Top 8%
vs99 · Top 14%
Economic stability
55 · Bottom 40%
vs57 · Bottom 43%
Measured values
| Metric | Mesa | Tempe | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 511,764 | 188,065 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $82,752 | $79,663 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,453 | $44,493 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,609/sq mi | 4,704/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $408,000 | $455,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,620 | $1,743 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 64.4% | 42.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 4.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -3.9% | -3.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 50.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 15.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,478 | 1,240 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 6.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -35.1% | 10.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 107°F | 107°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 46°F | 46°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 7.2" | 7.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 7 mi | 6 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.4 min | 22.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.4 | 30.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 140 | 49 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 17.32 | 16.80 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Mesa
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Tempe
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Full profiles: Mesa, AZ · Tempe, AZ · How this is calculated: methodology