Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs Glendale, AZ (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Glendale

Arizona
102

Mesa is 5% more expensive than Glendale.

$1,478/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,397/mo ↓ 5%
$78,779/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$70,139/yr ↓ 11%
$364,300 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$347,000 ↓ 5%
$1,404/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,356/mo ↓ 3%
507,478
Population
250,193

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
2.5%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Glendale, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $81/month cheaper in Glendale, saving renters about $972/year.

Median household income is $8,640/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $347,000 in Glendale.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Arizona.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Glendale — common questions

Is Mesa or Glendale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Glendale is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Glendale?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Glendale it's $1,397/month — a difference of $81/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Glendale?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $70,139 in Glendale. Median household income is $8,640/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Arizona?
Both cities are in Arizona and share the same state tax rates: 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Glendale?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/mo, while Glendale has a cost index of 102 with rent of $1,397/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Mesa details → View Glendale details →

More Comparisons

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