City vs city
Mesa, AZ vs Seattle, WA
- Rent is 25% lower in Mesa (median $1,620/mo vs $2,030/mo in Seattle).
- Homes cost 130% less in Mesa ($408k vs $939k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $271 more a month after taxes and rent in Mesa.
- Seattle has no state income tax on wages; Mesa does.
- Schools rate higher in Seattle (8.6/10 vs 4.9/10).
- Mesa has less violent crime (4.3 vs 7.1 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Mesa has milder winters (53°F vs 42°F average).
- Mesa gets more sun (294 vs 152 sunny days a year).
| Mesa | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,620/mo | $2,030/mo |
| Median home value | $408k | $939k |
| Median household income | $83k | $124k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,374 | $3,103 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 4.9/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 2.0× the US rate |
| Summer average | 106°F | 77°F |
| Winter average | 53°F | 42°F |
| Sunny days a year | 294 | 152 |
| Walk score | 42 | 74 |
| Population | 511,764 | 754,195 |
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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