Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Mesa is 4% more affordable than Dallas. A $75,000 salary in Dallas is equivalent to $72,087 in Mesa.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Dallas has a housing index of 104 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Dallas costs $310,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Dallas versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Dallas scores 97 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Dallas (100) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Dallas is $54,747 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Mesa.
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