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Retirement community in Mesa, Arizona

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Mesa, Arizona Retirement Guide

40

Retirement Score

Mesa, Arizona at a Glance

Median Home Price
$420,600
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.
Avg January Low
43.1°F
Cost of Living Index
99.8 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
40 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Mesa, Arizona, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
99.8 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated October 2026
Median Household Income
$73,766High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Mesa's cost of living is 0.20000000000000284% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$420,600High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
63.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Mesa using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$911

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,023

Median home price used: $420,600

Median rent reference: $1,500 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Mesa, Arizona after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
16.4 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
16.4 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
46.6 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Mesa scores 16.4 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Mesa

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Mesa →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Arizona has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.Read more in our detailed Arizona tax guide.

Arizona 2026 Outlook

Arizona Retirement Tax Benefits 2026

Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits and generally has low property taxes compared with many coastal states. Other retirement income may still be taxable under Arizona's income-tax rules, and local sales taxes can vary by city and county.

For Mesa, compare the tax picture with housing costs, summer cooling bills, healthcare access, and insurance before treating Arizona as automatically lower-cost than another Sun Belt state.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
108.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
43.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
13.4"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
350 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 350 sunny days a year and an average January low of 43.1°F, Mesa offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
13.4 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
3.9 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
503,390High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
36.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
16.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
8.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
30.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
72.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
4.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
27.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
2.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Mesa

What is the cost of living in Mesa, Arizona for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 100, roughly 0% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $420,600.

Does Arizona tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Arizona residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.

What is the climate like in Mesa, Arizona?▾

Mesa, Arizona has January average low around 43°F, July average high around 108°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Mesa, Arizona?▾

Mesa scores 16/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

TRIBECA FINANCIAL, LLC

Financial Advisor

PUBLIC SAFETY FINANCIAL/GALLOWAY

GALLOWAY ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC

Financial Advisor

ROVIN CAPITAL

ROVIN CAPITAL LLC

Financial Advisor

+38 more financial advisors available

Interested in Mesa? Talk to a Local Expert.

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