Mesa, AZ Local Data & Statistics

State: AZ

Total population: 511,764 Household income: $82,752 Rent: $1,620

Overview

Total population

511,764

Rent

$1,620

Year built

1989

Household income

$82,752

Per capita income

$41,453

Poverty rate

10.3%

Unemployment rate

3.0%

Household size

2.6 persons

Rent over 30% of income

52.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Arizona

Total population

511,764

Adults over 25

350,747

Total households

198,498

Household size

2.6 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$82,752

Per capita income

$41,453

Poverty rate

10.3%

Unemployment rate

3.0%

Rent over 30% of income

52.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,620

Year built

1989

Households that rent

35.6%

Households that own

64.4%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.1

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

65.8%

Black

Asian

2.6%

Two or more races

17.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

26.9%

Not Hispanic or Latino

73.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

81.3%

Commute time to work

25 mins

Work from home

18.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

32.7%

High school graduate or GED

23.7%

Some college or associate degree

11.1%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

32.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Mesa, AZ with: Arizona United States

Mesa, AZ

Total population511,764

Rent$1,620

Year built1989

Household income$82,752

Per capita income$41,453

Poverty rate10.3%

Unemployment rate3.0%

Arizona State

Total population7,378,838

Rent$1,543

Year built1992

Household income$79,964

Per capita income$42,503

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate3.6%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityMesa, AZ	StateArizona	CountryUnited States
Total population	511,764	7,378,838	334,922,499
Rent	$1,620	$1,543	$1,413
Year built	1989	1992	1980
Household income	$82,752	$79,964	$80,734
Per capita income	$41,453	$42,503	$44,673
Poverty rate	10.3%	12.5%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	3.0%	3.6%	4%

View the complete comparison of Mesa, AZ, Arizona and United States →

Summary for Mesa, AZ

Mesa is located in Arizona.

Rent & Income

In Mesa, the typical monthly rent is $1,620 and the typical household income is $82,752. Rent here is similar to Arizona and higher than the U.S., and household income is similar to both Arizona and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 10.3%, which is lower than in both Arizona and national.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 35.6% of households. About 52.4% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 32.5% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is lower than both Arizona and the national rate.

Mesa, AZ — Rent vs Household Income

Mesa, AZ — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Mesa, AZ compares in Arizona (20 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,620	7 / 20	from lower rent	$1,114 – $2,210
Household income	$82,752	12 / 20	from higher income	$57,073 – $141,978
Poverty rate	10.3%	11 / 20	from lower poverty	3.7% – 18.9%
Unemployment rate	3%	7 / 20	from lower unemployment	2.7% – 10.3%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Arizona with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Mesa, AZ

Rent

In rent comparisons, Mesa comes in 7th out of 20 large places. Across Arizona, rents vary from $1,114 in Yuma, AZ to $2,210 in Queen Creek, AZ.

Household income

For household income, Mesa ranks 12th out of 20 large places. Across Arizona, incomes range from $57,073 in Tucson, AZ to $141,978 in Queen Creek, AZ.

Poverty rate

Mesa places 11th out of 20 large communities for poverty. Statewide figures move from 3.7% in Queen Creek, AZ up to 18.9% in Tucson, AZ.

Unemployment rate

Mesa places 7th among 20 large communities for unemployment. Statewide figures run from 2.7% to 10.3%.

💰 Rent in Mesa, AZ (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,620 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Mesa, AZ

Annual Household Income: $82,752

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Mesa, AZ

Estimated Rate: 10.3%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Mesa, AZ

In Mesa, AZ, households that rent: 70,659 (35.6%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	70,659	35.6%
Owner-Occupied	127,839	64.4%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Mesa, AZ

In Mesa, AZ, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 37,045 (52.4%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	37,045	52.4%
Other renter households	33,614	47.6%
Total renter households	70,659	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Mesa, AZ

Less than High School: 114,766 people (32.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 83,182 people (23.7%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 38,863 people (11.1%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 113,936 people (32.5%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 350,747

📊 Unemployment Rate in Mesa, AZ

Estimated Rate: 3.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Kansas City, MO508,233 Atlanta, GA499,287 Sacramento, CA524,802 Omaha, NE488,197 Colorado Springs, CO483,099 Tucson, AZ543,348 Fresno, CA543,615 Raleigh, NC470,763 Albuquerque, NM562,488 Long Beach, CA458,491

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.