City vs city
Mesa, AZ vs San Diego, CA
- Rent is 43% lower in Mesa (median $1,620/mo vs $2,313/mo in San Diego).
- Homes cost 122% less in Mesa ($408k vs $907k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $799 more a month after taxes and rent in Mesa.
- Schools rate higher in Mesa (4.9/10 vs 4.3/10).
- San Diego has less violent crime (3.8 vs 4.3 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- San Diego has milder winters (58°F vs 53°F average).
- Mesa gets more sun (294 vs 266 sunny days a year).
| Mesa | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,620/mo | $2,313/mo |
| Median home value | $408k | $907k |
| Median household income | $83k | $108k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,374 | $2,575 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 4.9/10 | 4.3/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | about the US rate |
| Summer average | 106°F | 77°F |
| Winter average | 53°F | 58°F |
| Sunny days a year | 294 | 266 |
| Walk score | 42 | 52 |
| Population | 511,764 | 1,389,526 |
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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