Mesa, AZ vs Palmdale, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Palmdale
58
#1956 nationally
Mesa leads in average commute (24.8 min vs 41.3 min). Mesa leads in walk score (38 vs 24). Mesa leads in cost of living index (112 vs 130).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Palmdale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67 (#1475) | 58 (#1956) |
| Population | 511,648 | 161,404 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $433,754 | $503,499 |
| Median Household Income | $73,766 | $78,414 |
| Average Commute | 24.8 min | 41.3 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 24 |
| Crime Level | 13.2 | 15.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 130 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | D+32.9 |
D+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →
F
58 Score
Palmdale, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$503,499
Population
161,404
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Pacific
View Palmdale, CA →