2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Tempe, AZ vs Mesa, AZ

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or is it cheaper to live in Tempe?
- Mesa is 0.0% more expensive than Tempe.

Which city has more affordable housing, Mesa or Tempe?
- Mesa housing costs are 12.1% less expensive than Tempe housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Tempe or is Health Care more affordable in Mesa.
- Health related expenses are 0.0% less in Mesa.
 Tempe, AZMesa, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock113.0100
 Food & Groceries98.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.5100
 Housing138.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$425,900$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock114.0100
 Miscellaneous105.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Tempe    22 Reviews

Tempe is a very unique case of a College Town that has quickly become a Small College City or a Small City. It used to be where there was small pockets of walkability  More

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Tempe is a small city that definitely has nice areas, nice weather, the people are always good, and it is home of ASU. The Tempe town council has done a good job towards  More

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Over 11 years ago

Lived in Arizona 55 yrs Phoenix /Tempe lost my job and got a offer to keep my job but had to move Fall River MA. I will take the heat over days of cold anytime . January  More

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Reviews for Mesa    61 Reviews

Mesa is a really good city despite some trouble with Superstition Springs and the failure that is Fiesta Mall, there is nice areas throughout and some areas that need to  More

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Over 2 years ago

As someone who was born in Mesa and has lived here in the 85210 in Dobson Ranch for the last 13 years after moving out from Chandler. I can tell you that most of the  More

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I’m a native to Arizona and growing up here has taught me that people just don’t care, and the Mormon community is huge! It’s normal in the state of AZ for kids to start  More

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