CostIndexUSA

Mesa, AZ vs Prescott, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Prescott
98.3
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Prescott is slightly cheaper than Mesa — 4.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mesa, you would need $76,100 in Prescott. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing18.5%
Mesa
121.2
Prescott
98.8
🛒 Groceries+1.3%
Mesa
95
Prescott
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Mesa
109.2
Prescott
104.8
🏥 Healthcare4.0%
Mesa
98.8
Prescott
94.8
Utilities1.9%
Mesa
93.3
Prescott
91.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Mesa to see what you'd need to earn in Prescott to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Prescott, AZ
$76,100
$3,900 less needed in Prescott

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9516. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Prescott, AZ

Median Home Price
$405,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
98.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9×

Mesa has 18.5% lower housing costs compared to Prescott.

Income & Job Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

Prescott, AZ

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
45,827
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismRetailGovernmentReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Prescott, AZ
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.