salaryMesa is the 3rd-largest city in Arizona that we track, with 511,764 residents. Rent is higher than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $73,040 a year. That is $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Arizona cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Arizona. It is number 55 of 93 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Mesa with other big cities
Compare Mesa to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Mesa?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mesa
| Size | Mesa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,421 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,465 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,712 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,065 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,469 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Mesa overall?
Everyday prices in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Mesa
Life in Mesa
What jobs pay in Mesa
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $144,490 | 15.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,270 | 16.1% |
| Lawyer | $135,670 | 16.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,650 | 16.3% |
| Software Developer | $131,750 | 16.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,770 | 21.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,520 | 21.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,830 | 21.7% |
| Operations Manager | $98,610 | 22.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $90,330 | 24.3% |
| Police Officer | $85,050 | 25.8% |
| Accountant | $80,820 | 27.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,080 | 28.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,590 | 29.4% |
| Plumber | $63,750 | 34.4% |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | 35.5% |
| Electrician | $61,210 | 35.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,170 | 35.8% |
| Carpenter | $60,320 | 36.3% |
| Truck Driver | $59,770 | 36.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,180 | 37.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,530 | 46.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,830 | 46.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,410 | 47.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,290 | 48.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,950 | 48.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $39,170 | 55.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,960 | 60.9% |
| Cashier | $34,920 | 62.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mesa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,005 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $408,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $40,800 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mesa, AZ?
Renting in Mesa costs a median of about $1,826 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Arizona median is $1,671.
How much do I need to make to live in Mesa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $73,040 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mesa cheap or expensive?
Mesa is rated OK: rent takes 24.6% of the typical household income of $89,248. It ranks 55th cheapest of 93 Arizona cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mesa?
The median homeowner in Mesa pays $1,604 a year in property taxes, about 0.39% of the median home value.
Is Mesa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Mesa?
The median home value in Mesa is $408,000, about 4.6 times the typical yearly household income.
511,764 people live in Mesa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.