Mesa, AZ vs Riverside, 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
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Mesa leads in average commute (24.8 min vs 31.3 min). Mesa leads in cost of living index (112 vs 140). Mesa leads in crime level (13.2 vs 16.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67 (#1475) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 511,648 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $433,754 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $73,766 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 24.8 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 13.2 | 16.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | R+1.3 |
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 →
D-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →