City vs city
Kansas City, MO vs Mesa, AZ
- Rent is 31% lower in Kansas City (median $1,238/mo vs $1,620/mo in Mesa).
- Homes cost 68% less in Kansas City ($243k vs $408k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $305 more a month after taxes and rent in Kansas City.
- Schools rate higher in Mesa (4.9/10 vs 1.6/10).
- Mesa has less violent crime (4.3 vs 13.8 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Mesa has milder winters (53°F vs 31°F average).
- Mesa gets more sun (294 vs 217 sunny days a year).
| Kansas City | Mesa | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,238/mo | $1,620/mo |
| Median home value | $243k | $408k |
| Median household income | $69k | $83k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,679 | $3,374 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 1.6/10 | 4.9/10 |
| Violent crime | 3.8× the US rate | 1.2× the US rate |
| Summer average | 90°F | 106°F |
| Winter average | 31°F | 53°F |
| Sunny days a year | 217 | 294 |
| Walk score | 34 | 42 |
| Population | 510,612 | 511,764 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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