Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
40% cheaper
Mesa is 40% more affordable than Los Angeles. A $75,000 salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $44,729 in Mesa.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Los Angeles has a housing index of 262 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Los Angeles costs $850,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $500,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,700 in Los Angeles versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Los Angeles scores 107 while Mesa scores 99.
Healthcare costs in Los Angeles (103) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Los Angeles is $65,290 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Mesa.
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