When considering relocation or a visit, both San Jose, California, and Mesa, Arizona, offer unique attractions and lifestyle opportunities. From weather, cost of living, education, culture, to job opportunities, healthcare, and safety, each city has its distinct characteristics. San Jose provides a bustling tech-focused environment with a rich cultural diversity, while Mesa offers a relaxed lifestyle with warm weather and scenic landscapes.
Distance between
San Jose, CA and
Mesa, AZ : 630.3 miles
San Jose's population is larger by 93%. Its population has grown by 88,546 people (9.9%) since 2000. The population of Mesa has grown by 113,100 people (28.5%) during that time.
San Jose has a lower crime rate than the national average, making it generally safer than many U.S. cities. However, neighborhood specifics may vary. Mesa, on the other hand, has a slightly higher crime rate than the national average but several measures have been taken to improve safety. It's always recommended to research crime rates of specific neighborhoods while considering to move or visit.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,847 registered sex offenders living in San Jose and 650 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Jose is 555 to 1; the ratio in Mesa is 746 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in San Jose than in Mesa.
Cost of Living
San Jose, being in Silicon Valley, has a higher cost of living, specifically in terms of housing and dining out. Mesa's cost of living is lower, with affordable housing and relatively lower costs on goods and services, making it more accessible for relocation or extended stays.
Income Tax
California, where San Jose is located, has a progressive income tax system. Arizona, with the city of Mesa, follows a similar pattern but with much lower rates. This results in lower income tax burden for Mesa residents compared to San Jose.
Property Tax
Both San Jose and Mesa have property taxes. However, rates in San Jose are slightly higher than Mesa, which may affect home owners.
Sales Tax
San Jose has a sales tax of 9.25%, higher than Mesa's 8.05%. This could affect the cost of goods and services, making them slightly more expensive in San Jose.
Income
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Estimated median household income
$126,377
$69,266
Estimated per capita income
$57,357
$35,439
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
127.4
101
If you make $50,000 in Mesa, you will have to make $63,069 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
While San Jose is located in the Santa Clara Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and close to the Pacific Ocean, Mesa is known for its flat terrain and is surrounded by the iconic desert landscape of the Southwest.
San Jose is home to several reputable educational institutions, including San Jose State University and a number of tech-focused vocational and trade schools. Mesa similarly boasts an array of educational options, including Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus and Mesa Community College.
While San Jose's economy is largely driven by tech giants such as Google, Apple, and eBay, Mesa's economy leans on industries like aerospace, education, and healthcare. The job market growth is robust in both cities but higher paying tech jobs dominate San Jose's employment scene.
Biggest Employers
In San Jose, the biggest employers are tech giants like Cisco Systems, eBay and Adobe Systems. In Mesa, Boeing, Banner Health System, and Mesa Public Schools are among the city's top employers.
There were 299 building permits issued in San Jose in 2012 (216 more than in 2011) compared to 2,046 building permits issued in Mesa in 2012 (1543 more than in 2011).
In San Jose (Santa Clara County), 70.0% voted for Democrats and 27.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Mesa (Maricopa County), 43.6% voted for Democrats and 54.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
2020
72.7%
50.2%
25.2%
48.0%
2.1%
1.8%
2016
72.7%
44.9%
20.6%
47.7%
6.7%
7.5%
2012
70.0%
43.6%
27.1%
54.3%
2.9%
2.1%
2008
69.6%
44.0%
28.6%
54.5%
1.8%
1.5%
2004
64.3%
42.4%
34.8%
57.0%
0.9%
0.6%
2000
60.7%
43.0%
34.4%
53.4%
4.9%
3.6%
1996
56.9%
44.5%
32.2%
47.2%
11.0%
8.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.1%
13.6%
6.0%
4.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.1%
0.2%
1.8%
1.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.9%
1.9%
7.7%
6.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
2.3%
1.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
2.6%
2.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.8%
2.3%
2.0%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
0.5%
1.4%
1.5%
VINEYARD USA
0.0%
0.3%
0.1%
0.6%
Weather
Weather-wise, San Jose offers Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and dry, warm summers. Meanwhile, Mesa experiences a hot desert climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. While San Jose tends to be cool throughout the year, Mesa can reach extreme temperatures during peak summer months.
Weather and climate
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Temperature - Average
60.9°F
71.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
77.3%
37.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
35.5%
48%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
60%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
51.6%
12%
Precipitation - Yearly average
16.1 in
9.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
27.4%
35.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
73.8%
92.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
23%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77.4%
95%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54.4%
79%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
6.6 mph
Average climate in San Jose, California
Average climate in Mesa, Arizona
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
San Jose
Mesa
2018
94
200
0.49
0.28
14.5
15.1
22.2
34.8
0.006
N/A
28.1
N/A
12.5
7.5
0.2
0.6
2017
91
128
0.50
0.28
14.6
15.8
23.5
35.1
0.004
N/A
24.5
N/A
10.2
8.2
0.2
1.4
2016
69
121
0.47
0.31
13.7
15.7
22.4
34.6
0.003
N/A
21.5
N/A
8.8
6.8
0.2
0.4
2015
84
104
0.52
0.34
15.4
17.6
22.3
33.4
0.004
N/A
17.7
N/A
9.2
6.8
0.3
0.9
2014
83
135
0.40
0.33
13.9
19.6
21.5
34.0
0.004
N/A
30.8
N/A
8.2
8.4
0.2
1.1
2013
90
141
0.41
0.31
15.2
19.9
20.8
34.8
0.005
N/A
29.3
N/A
12.4
5.8
0.3
0.9
2012
74
159
0.35
0.38
13.3
21.2
21.8
33.7
0.003
N/A
37.9
N/A
10.1
8.1
0.3
1.3
2011
83
205
0.37
0.31
14.8
18.5
20.6
34.1
0.003
N/A
40.4
N/A
12.3
9.5
0.3
0.9
2010
88
100
0.35
0.31
14.4
16.4
20.4
32.9
0.004
N/A
29.5
N/A
9.0
8.3
0.4
1.2
2009
89
109
0.40
0.33
14.7
16.6
18.2
32.3
0.004
N/A
37.8
N/A
9.3
N/A
0.3
1.0
2008
100
106
0.45
0.29
16.7
17.5
20.6
34.2
N/A
N/A
39.9
N/A
12.6
N/A
N/A
1.1
2007
92
134
0.44
0.43
16.6
19.3
20.0
31.0
0.009
N/A
50.6
N/A
11.1
N/A
N/A
1.9
2006
100
138
0.46
0.44
18.0
22.1
21.8
30.9
N/A
N/A
57.5
N/A
11.1
N/A
N/A
1.8
2005
95
109
0.68
0.49
18.6
22.6
20.0
30.0
N/A
N/A
49.1
N/A
11.6
N/A
N/A
1.7
2004
98
97
0.63
0.51
18.5
22.4
20.4
30.4
N/A
N/A
33.4
N/A
9.9
N/A
N/A
1.4
2003
87
99
0.73
0.56
20.6
24.0
19.1
31.7
N/A
N/A
42.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2002
78
110
0.65
0.69
19.5
24.9
18.0
28.0
0.006
N/A
41.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
2001
75
105
0.61
0.65
18.5
23.8
16.8
27.2
0.008
N/A
37.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
2000
65
117
0.66
0.76
18.9
29.8
15.6
27.1
0.009
N/A
45.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
Natural disasters
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
9%
18.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,785.3%
2,348.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
16%
Transportation
San Jose has a comprehensive public transportation system including buses, light rail, and rapid transit. Mesa also has a functional transit system with bus and light rail services. Both cities have bike-sharing programs and ample facilities for cyclists.
Transport
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
553
828
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
13
20
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Bicycle
1%
0.6%
Bus
1.1%
0.3%
Carpooled
11.4%
14.4%
Car alone
80.5%
79.9%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.5%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Walked
3.3%
2.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Average
29.2 min
25 min
Other means
27.9 min
26.9 min
Public transportation
48.5 min
45.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
87.3%
85.8%
In 2 person carpool
8.9%
11.1%
In 3 person carpool
1.9%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
1.1%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.6%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
San Jose has a thriving real estate market with high-value properties due to tech-industry fueled prosperity. Mesa's real estate market is more affordable, with a range of housing options from apartments to large single-family homes.
Neighborhoods
Each city boasts desirable neighborhoods. San Jose's notable ones include Willow Glen and Rose Garden, while Mesa boasts Alta Mesa and Red Mountain Ranch. Each offers unique attractions, community feel, and amenities.
Houses and residents
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Houses
340,561
221,995
Average household size (people)
3.1
2.6
Median year apartment built
1979
1987
Median year house/condo built
1973
1989
Length of stay in the house since moving in
15.6 years
11.2 years
Houses occupied
322,881 (94.8%)
199,112 (89.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
179,797 (55.7%)
126,146 (63.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
143,084 (44.3%)
72,966 (36.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,214
$1,890
Median monthly housing costs
$2,463
$1,220
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,197,016
$262,297
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$350,100
Median numbers of rooms
4.9
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
5.9
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$421,563
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$753,788
$124,748
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$680,453
$226,327
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$688,625
$250,077
Median house price - mobile homes
$240,963
$70,636
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$55,872
$94,693
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$892,629
$256,984
Median house price - All housing units
Over $1,000,000
$364,728
Median house age
45
33
Renting percentage
41.5%
36.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,947.6
1,776.1
House value disparities
21.2%
31.1%
Household income disparities
38.3%
42.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$197,583
$97,987
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$103,711
$63,218
Housing units without a mortgage
2,632 (2.1%)
1,338 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13,499 (10.6%)
5,628 (6.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,224 (97.9%)
80,572 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
346 (0.3%)
48 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,249 (12.8%)
7,236 (8.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
0.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Jose
Mesa
One, detached
50.9%
55.9%
One, attached
11.5%
6.6%
Two
1.1%
1.0%
3 or 4
5.0%
5.1%
5 to 9
5.1%
6.0%
10 to 19
4.5%
5.0%
20 to 49
4.5%
2.8%
50 or more
14.2%
5.3%
Mobile homes
3.1%
11.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.6%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
28,517
10,562
State government workers
10,222
6,039
Unpaid family workers
472
830
Industries and Occupations
San Jose is renowned for its high-tech industry and startups, leading in occupations related to technology, engineering, and IT. Mesa's economy revolves around education, health services, and aerospace with firms like Boeing and Banner Health providing many employment opportunities.
Both cities have great healthcare facilities. San Jose houses some renowned medical centers, including Stanford Hospital, while Mesa has Banner Health System and the Mayo Clinic.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Jose
Mesa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Jose has a modern urban infrastructure with high-tech facilities and skyscrapers, whereas Mesa exhibits a blend of modern and old-town charm with low-rise buildings and plenty of open space. Both cities have well-maintained roads, parks, and public areas.
Infrastructure
Type
San Jose
Mesa
Hospitals
20
13
TV stations
9
18
Bank branches located here
145
97
Bank institutions located here
25
22
Main business address for public companies
74
2
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
21
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Jose
Mesa
1999
3,839
2,532
2000
2,577
2,428
2001
1,953
1,854
2002
1,908
1,520
2003
3,578
1,991
2004
5,489
2,897
2005
6,994
3,857
2006
6,324
3,727
2007
4,298
1,896
2008
2,419
765
2009
1,631
440
Culture and Food
San Jose boasts a diverse food scene with restaurants offering world cuisines, while Mesa is known for its Southwest and Mexican food. Both cities have vibrant art scenes, with San Jose home to high-profile art events and festivals and Mesa featuring the Mesa Arts Center and several local galleries.
Sports Teams
San Jose homes the NHL's Sharks and MLS's Earthquakes. Mesa doesn't have its own major league team but is a short drive from Phoenix, home to the NBA's Suns, MLB's Diamondbacks and NFL's Cardinals.
San Jose, CA
Mesa, AZ
