Home › Compare › San Francisco, CA vs Mesa, AZ

Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Mesa, AZ

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

33.1% Mesa, AZ is cheaper overall
50.5% 50.5% cheaper housing
15.7% 15.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 50.5% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Mesa
104
🛒 Groceries 15.7% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Mesa
97
🚗 Transportation 21.9% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Mesa
100
🏥 Healthcare 20.3% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Mesa
94
⚡ Utilities ~Same
San Francisco
108
Mesa
106

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Mesa, AZ Difference
Overall Cost Index1489933.1% less
Housing21010450.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,25058.3% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$365,00070.8% less
Groceries1159715.7% less
Transportation12810021.9% less
Healthcare1189420.3% less
Utilities108106~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, CA Mesa, AZ
State Income Tax13.30% (top)2.50%
State Sales Tax7.25%5.60%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.51%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Francisco, CA
$130,000
Median household income
Mesa, AZ
$66,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Mesa costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Mesa to maintain your San Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Mesa (99). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Mesa3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Mesa3.2%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
MesaAerospace, Tech, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Mesa26 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Mesa32
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Mesa56
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Mesa74°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Mesa504,258

Moving from San Francisco to Mesa?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Francisco and Mesa → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Mesa →

Compare Other Cities

San Francisco vs Austin → San Francisco vs Denver → San Francisco vs Nashville → Mesa vs Raleigh → Mesa vs Portland → Mesa vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco or Mesa cheaper to live in?+
Mesa is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 50.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Mesa?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,250/month in Mesa — a difference of about $1,750 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco or Mesa?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Arizona has a state income tax of 2.50% and sales tax of 5.60%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from San Francisco to Mesa?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 compared to $66,000 in Mesa. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in San Francisco vs Mesa?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $365,000 in Mesa — a difference of $885,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Arizona averages 0.51%.