Tucson and Mesa, both located in Arizona, offer unique living experiences with differing cultural, economic, and geographical factors. Each city has its pros and cons, and the choice between them primarily depends on personal preferences and lifestyle needs. This comparison covers several key factors for those considering relocating or planning a visit to either city.
Distance between
Tucson, AZ and
Mesa, AZ : 95.7 miles
Tucson's population is larger by 7%. Its population has grown by 56,543 people (11.6%) since 2000. The population of Mesa has grown by 113,100 people (28.5%) during that time.
According to national crime data, both Tucson and Mesa have crime rates higher than the national average. However, Tucson's rates are generally higher than Mesa's, particularly in relation to property crime. Both cities are making efforts to combat crime and improve safety. Organizations such as neighborhood watches are widespread, and both cities' police departments offer numerous community outreach and education programs.
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 1,389 registered sex offenders living in Tucson and 650 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Tucson is 382 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 Tucson than in Mesa.
Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in Tucson is lower than in Mesa. This difference is primarily due to lower housing costs in Tucson. Additionally, everyday expenses such as groceries and healthcare are generally more affordable in Tucson. However, Mesa's proximity to Phoenix allows for more job opportunities, potentially balancing the cost of living.
Income Tax
Neither Tucson nor Mesa imposes a city-specific income tax. The state of Arizona, however, does levy an income tax that applies state-wide, with rates that vary based on income levels.
Property Tax
Property taxes in both cities are generally lower than the national average, with Tucson usually having slightly higher rates compared to Mesa.
Sales Tax
Arizona has a relatively high sales tax rate, and both Tucson and Mesa fall in line with the state average. However, Mesa's rate is slightly higher due to additional municipal sales taxes.
Income
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Estimated median household income
$50,306
$69,266
Estimated per capita income
$27,821
$35,439
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
90.1
101
If you make $50,000 in Tucson, you will have to make $56,049 in Mesa to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Tucson is surrounded by mountain ranges, with beautiful desert vegetation, which makes it a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts. Mesa, while mostly flat, is close to the Superstition Mountains and is also a short drive away from the Salt River, offering its own set of unique outdoor experiences.
Both Tucson and Mesa have reputable educational institutions. Tucson, being home to the University of Arizona, excels in higher education opportunities. Mesa, on the other hand, is well-regarded for its high-quality grade schools. Mesa is part of the larger Phoenix metropolitan area, which also offers many options for post-secondary education.
Tucson's economy is driven primarily by the University of Arizona and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. However, it also has a decently diverse economy with industries such as healthcare, retail trade, and manufacturing. Mesa's economy is more diverse, with the healthcare, retail, and education sectors providing many jobs. Mesa's proximity to Phoenix also provides more job opportunities.
Biggest Employers
In Tucson, the University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and Banner University Medical Center are some of the major employers. Mesa's top employers include Banner Health System, Mesa Public Schools, and the City of Mesa.
There were 1,134 building permits issued in Tucson in 2012 (832 more than in 2011) compared to 2,046 building permits issued in Mesa in 2012 (1543 more than in 2011).
In Tucson (Pima County), 52.7% voted for Democrats and 45.7% 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
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
2020
58.4%
50.2%
39.8%
48.0%
1.7%
1.8%
2016
53.3%
44.9%
39.7%
47.7%
7.0%
7.5%
2012
52.7%
43.6%
45.7%
54.3%
1.6%
2.1%
2008
52.4%
44.0%
46.3%
54.5%
1.4%
1.5%
2004
52.7%
42.4%
46.7%
57.0%
0.6%
0.6%
2000
51.4%
43.0%
43.3%
53.4%
5.3%
3.6%
1996
52.2%
44.5%
39.4%
47.2%
8.5%
8.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.8%
13.6%
7.9%
4.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2.3%
1.9%
10.4%
6.5%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.9%
0.8%
2.5%
2.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.3%
1.4%
1.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.5%
1.4%
1.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
1.9%
2.0%
VINEYARD USA
0.0%
0.3%
0.5%
0.6%
Weather
Tucson and Mesa both experience a hot desert climate. Tucson, however, usually has higher temperatures in the summer compared to Mesa. On the upside, Tucson offers greater cooling in the evening hours, partly due to its higher elevation. Both cities enjoy abundant sunshine year-round, with a short, intense monsoon season typically occurring from July through September.
Weather and climate
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Temperature - Average
70°F
71.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
38.6%
37.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
46%
48%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
58%
60%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
12%
12%
Precipitation - Yearly average
12 in
9.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
2 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
32.3%
35.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
92.8%
92.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
15%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
94%
95%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
79%
79%
Wind speed - Average
8.3 mph
6.6 mph
Average climate in Tucson, Arizona
Average climate in Mesa, Arizona
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
Tucson
Mesa
2018
87
200
0.19
0.28
8.3
15.1
32.0
34.8
29.9
28.1
5.5
7.5
0.1
0.6
2017
73
128
0.18
0.28
8.4
15.8
31.7
35.1
32.2
24.5
7.1
8.2
0.1
1.4
2016
68
121
0.21
0.31
7.9
15.7
29.7
34.6
25.3
21.5
4.5
6.8
0.1
0.4
2015
62
104
0.21
0.34
8.7
17.6
29.7
33.4
25.4
17.7
5.1
6.8
0.2
0.9
2014
74
135
0.19
0.33
10.0
19.6
28.8
34.0
28.0
30.8
5.6
8.4
0.2
1.1
2013
94
141
0.17
0.31
10.4
19.9
30.4
34.8
30.9
29.3
6.8
5.8
0.2
0.9
2012
73
159
0.20
0.38
11.8
21.2
30.0
33.7
31.2
37.9
5.6
8.1
0.2
1.3
2011
81
205
0.22
0.31
11.9
18.5
31.0
34.1
29.7
40.4
5.8
9.5
0.3
0.9
2010
68
100
0.29
0.31
10.8
16.4
30.5
32.9
25.5
29.5
N/A
8.3
0.5
1.2
2009
82
109
0.25
0.33
11.2
16.6
29.2
32.3
31.9
37.8
N/A
N/A
0.5
1.0
2008
81
106
0.29
0.29
12.2
17.5
29.2
34.2
32.0
39.9
N/A
N/A
0.9
1.1
2007
75
134
0.37
0.43
13.4
19.3
28.7
31.0
27.3
50.6
N/A
N/A
0.9
1.9
2006
74
138
0.41
0.44
15.3
22.1
27.7
30.9
17.3
57.5
N/A
N/A
0.6
1.8
2005
76
109
0.43
0.49
15.1
22.6
26.0
30.0
17.8
49.1
N/A
N/A
0.7
1.7
2004
77
97
0.49
0.51
15.6
22.4
25.6
30.4
14.0
33.4
N/A
N/A
1.2
1.4
2003
81
99
0.57
0.56
17.2
24.0
27.1
31.7
19.2
42.6
N/A
N/A
1.2
1.4
2002
76
110
0.56
0.69
16.9
24.9
26.8
28.0
19.9
41.8
N/A
N/A
1.0
1.6
2001
70
105
0.55
0.65
16.4
23.8
26.1
27.2
23.2
37.8
N/A
N/A
0.8
1.5
2000
78
117
0.50
0.76
16.7
29.8
26.4
27.1
N/A
45.6
N/A
N/A
2.3
1.7
Natural disasters
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
8.9%
18.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
1,584.9%
2,348.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
13%
16%
Transportation
Both Tucson and Mesa offer extensive public transportation options, including buses and light rail systems. However, most residents in both cities prefer to use cars for commuting due to the cities' extensive freeway systems. Mesa's transportation benefits from being part of the larger Phoenix metropolitan area, resulting in a more extensive public transit system.
Transport
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
2
FAA registered aircraft
983
828
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
14
20
Means of transportation to work
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Bicycle
1%
0.6%
Bus
1.9%
0.3%
Carpooled
11.5%
14.4%
Car alone
81.9%
79.9%
Motorcycle
0.5%
0.5%
Walked
2.3%
2.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Average
26 min
25 min
Other means
21.6 min
26.9 min
Public transportation
42.5 min
45.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.3%
85.8%
In 2 person carpool
10.1%
11.1%
In 3 person carpool
2.5%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
1%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.5%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is generally more affordable in Tucson than in Mesa. The more relaxed pace of life in Tucson can be attributed to its lower population density. Mesa, on the other hand, has a more robust market due to its proximity and integration with Phoenix.
Neighborhoods
Tucson's neighborhoods range from urban downtown districts to more suburban, family-friendly areas. Similarly, Mesa offers a wide array of neighborhoods to fit various lifestyles, with downtown Mesa offering a more urban feel, while the outskirts host sprawling suburban communities.
Houses and residents
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Houses
242,816
221,995
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.6
Median year apartment built
1979
1987
Median year house/condo built
1978
1989
Length of stay in the house since moving in
13.2 years
11.2 years
Houses occupied
223,068 (91.9%)
199,112 (89.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
114,708 (51.4%)
126,146 (63.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
108,360 (48.6%)
72,966 (36.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$801.80
$1,890
Median monthly housing costs
$951
$1,220
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$557,132
$262,297
Estimated median house or condo value
$224,800
$350,100
Median numbers of rooms
4.9
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
5.9
Median house price - detached houses
$262,219
$421,563
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$147,793
$124,748
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$125,313
$226,327
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$135,055
$250,077
Median house price - mobile homes
$48,136
$70,636
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$53,411
$94,693
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$210,375
$256,984
Median house price - All housing units
$234,849
$364,728
Median house age
43
33
Renting percentage
48.1%
36.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,247.3
1,776.1
House value disparities
32.8%
31.1%
Household income disparities
44.9%
42.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$76,356
$97,987
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$54,612
$63,218
Housing units without a mortgage
1,087 (1.5%)
1,338 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,785 (3.9%)
5,628 (6.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
70,054 (98.5%)
80,572 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
211 (0.3%)
48 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
4,051 (5.7%)
7,236 (8.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
11
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
0.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.8%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Tucson
Mesa
One, detached
53.5%
55.9%
One, attached
8.3%
6.6%
Two
2.5%
1.0%
3 or 4
4.3%
5.1%
5 to 9
5.0%
6.0%
10 to 19
5.6%
5.0%
20 to 49
5.8%
2.8%
50 or more
8.6%
5.3%
Mobile homes
6.2%
11.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.6%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
14,487
10,562
State government workers
17,981
6,039
Unpaid family workers
709
830
Industries and Occupations
Tucson's dominant industries are education, military, healthcare, and retail trade, along with a growing high-tech sector. Mesa's economy is more diversified, with significant contributions from education, healthcare, broadcasting and telecommunications, and retail trade.
Both Tucson and Mesa offer high-quality healthcare services. Tucson is home to the Banner University Medical Center, which ranks among the best hospitals in the state. Mesa also boasts top-rated hospitals like Banner Desert Medical Center and Mesa General Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Tucson
Mesa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Tucson and Mesa both have modern infrastructures with a good mix of residential and commercial zones. Mesa's location within the Phoenix metropolitan area offers greater access to big-city amenities than Tucson. Tucson's infrastructure, however, resonates more with those preferring a more laid-back lifestyle, with less traffic congestion and rapid growth.
Infrastructure
Type
Tucson
Mesa
Hospitals
24
13
TV stations
20
18
Bank branches located here
159
97
Bank institutions located here
17
22
Main business address for public companies
6
2
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
0
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Tucson
Mesa
1999
3,131
2,532
2000
1,601
2,428
2001
912
1,854
2002
778
1,520
2003
1,409
1,991
2004
2,041
2,897
2005
2,872
3,857
2006
2,833
3,727
2007
1,601
1,896
2008
714
765
2009
386
440
Culture and Food
Tucson boasts rich cultural history, with a renowned culinary scene that is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Mesa, on the other hand, offers a slightly more modern culture but also inherits the rich southwestern flavors of Arizona.
Sports Teams
While neither Tucson nor Mesa hosts major professional sports teams, both cities offer avid sports fans plenty to cheer. Tucson is home to the Arizona Wildcats, while Mesa houses the training camps of several Major League Baseball teams, making spring a special time for baseball fans.
Tucson, AZ
Mesa, AZ
