City comparison
No. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 108 in Mesa, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 131, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Mesa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,620 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Mesa and Tampa are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,620 in Mesa and $1,701 in Tampa, and median household income lands at $82,752 versus $75,475. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Mesa wins on cost of living and the job market and Tampa wins on safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Mesa and Tampa are 1,779 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,620 a month in Mesa to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $81 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $82,752 in Mesa to $75,475 in Tampa, down $7,277 (9%).
The crime index goes from 108 in Mesa to 93 in Tampa, down 15 points (14%).
The move
Tampa and Mesa are 1,779 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,620 a month in Mesa, down $81 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $82,752 in Mesa, up $7,277 (10%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 108 in Mesa, up 15 points (16%).
Mesa, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tampa, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Mesa and Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Mesa rent is 5% cheaper than Tampa
Mesa
Winner$1,620/mo
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Typical rent runs $1,620 a month in Mesa versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Mesa is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $81, or $972 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Mesa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Mesa's median income is 10% higher than Tampa
Mesa
Winner$82,752
Tampa
$75,475
Median household income is $82,752 in Mesa versus $75,475 in Tampa, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Mesa (about $7,277 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
14% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 14% lower than Mesa
Mesa
108 (100 = avg)
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 108 in Mesa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Tampa. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Tampa, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Mesa. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Mesa and Tampa are about even on typical weather.
Mesa
79°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mesa averages about 79°F (87°F highs); Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs). Mesa sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tampa sits near 75°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Mesa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($82,752). Start with Mesa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Mesa (93 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.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Tampa scores 62/100 versus 58/100 in Mesa. Rent is $1,701/month in Tampa and $1,620/month in Mesa, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $81 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,620 in Mesa and $1,701 in Tampa.
Between Mesa and Tampa, Tampa is ahead on safety — 62/100 safety versus 58/100. Lean Mesa instead when you already know the Mesa block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Mesa and Tampa, plus other cities in AZ and FL.
