Albany, CA vs Mesa, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Albany leads in crime level (3.8 vs 13.2). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 38). Mesa leads in cost of living index (112 vs 207).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Mesa, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 67 (#1475) |
| Population | 19,097 | 511,648 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $433,754 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $73,766 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 24.8 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 13.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | R+3.5 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
D+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →