Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
16% cheaper
Mesa is 16% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $62,924 in Mesa.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $170,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Mesa.
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