City comparison
Yes. Mesa's crime index is 108 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 131 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Mesa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,620 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Mesa and Anaheim is the real story here. Mesa comes in 26% cheaper on typical rent ($1,620 vs $2,175), which over a year adds up to $6,660. Median household income runs $82,752 in Mesa and $95,227 in Anaheim.
This is a genuine split. Mesa wins on cost of living and safety and Anaheim wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Mesa at $1,620 average has pockets that run $1,420 and others at $2,020: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Mesa and Anaheim are 352 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,620 a month in Mesa to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $555 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $82,752 in Mesa to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $12,475 (15%).
The crime index goes from 108 in Mesa to 143 in Anaheim, up 35 points (32%).
The move
Anaheim and Mesa are 352 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,620 a month in Mesa, down $555 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $82,752 in Mesa, down $12,475 (13%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 108 in Mesa, down 35 points (24%).
Mesa, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Mesa and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Mesa rent is 26% cheaper than Anaheim
Mesa
Winner$1,620/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,620 a month in Mesa versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Mesa is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $555/month back in your pocket ($6,660/year). Over five years that's $33,300 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Mesa is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Mesa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
15% higher
Anaheim's median income is 15% higher than Mesa
Mesa
$82,752
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $82,752 in Mesa, so typical pay runs 15% higher in Anaheim (about $12,475 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Mesa can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
24% lower crime
Mesa's crime index is 24% lower than Anaheim
Mesa
Winner108 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Mesa's crime index is 108 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 24% lower in Mesa. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Mesa is the easier city. Anaheim can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Mesa and Anaheim are about even on typical weather.
Mesa
79°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mesa averages about 79°F (87°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Mesa sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Mesa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% cheaper here at about $1,620 a month. Choose Mesa if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Mesa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 24% lower than Anaheim (108 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 15% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Anaheim runs $2,175/month while Mesa sits at $1,620 — roughly 26% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Anaheim-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Mesa rent at $1,620/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $82,752 in Mesa.
Between Mesa and Anaheim, Mesa is ahead on housing cost — $1,620/month rent against $2,175. Lean Anaheim instead when your $95,227 income offer in Anaheim outweighs saving $555/month in Mesa.
Common questions
Ready to move to Mesa?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Mesa when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Mesa and Anaheim, plus other cities in AZ and CA.
