Set in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, the thriving city of Mesa offers planned neighborhoods near shopping and dining centers, a more suburban alternative to the urban hustle of Phoenix, about 19 miles east. Downtown Mesa is popular for its many local businesses and artistic venues, and local kids may attend schools within the highly rated Mesa Unified School District. Despite Mesa’s growing size – its population of 500,000 is up 70,000 since 2010 – the city still feels slower paced than those with similar populations, like Atlanta or Baltimore.
“Historically, Mesa has been known as a hotspot for retirees, but now there are more people under the age of 65,” says Courtney Strzelczyk, a Realtor with Exp Realty and an East Valley resident. Younger residents, many with young children, have been drawn to the Mesa area by its job market. Banner Health and the Mesa Unified School District are the area’s largest employers, while tech and manufacturing jobs are increasing at companies along the 5-mile Elliot Road Technology Corridor, which include Amazon, Apple and Meta. Josiah Miller, a Realtor with Josiah Miller Homes who’s lived in the area for 20 years, says that Mesa’s also popular with Arizona State University students. “You’re really close to ASU here," Miller says, "so a lot of students live in Mesa because it’s a little cheaper than living in Tempe, right by campus.”
Northeast Mesa hikers love the hiking opportunities around the Usery Mountain Regional Park.
Main Street in Downtown Mesa offers plenty of dining options with patio seating.
Participate in exciting events; Roller Derby with the Arizona Roller Girls in Downtown Mesa.
Unlock a world of career possibilities in Downtown Mesa's thriving job market.
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Suburban subdivisions and retirement communities
Most neighborhoods here are either planned subdivisions with single-family homes, or retirement communities. Some of the city’s oldest subdivisions, like the Evergreen Historic District , are a draw for their early 20th-century charm near downtown, while newer subdivisions, like the master-planned Eastmark, are popular for their contemporary builds on larger lots. “In Eastmark, you have a lot of younger families and younger business professionals,” Strzelczyk says. Common home styles throughout Mesa include ranch- and Spanish Revival-style homes. Most retirement communities offer golf and other recreational amenities, while Leisure World also offers striking views of the Superstition Mountains. Mesa's steady rental market attracts college students and snowbirds—a regional term for someone who moves to a warmer state during winter.
“The median home sale price in Mesa is about $420,000, but the discrepancy you’re going to see is much greater than in other areas of Phoenix,” Strzelczyk says. Depending on the neighborhood, the average home price in Mesa can range from around $350,000 to $1 million. Mesa’s real estate tax is lower than Scottsdale and Gilbert’s, drawing homebuyers seeking relatively affordable rates in the Phoenix area.
Downtown Mesa is a great place to buy a home with more charm than your average home.
Riverview’s homes provide comfort, style, and a great sense of community.
Spanish-inspired homes that start at $500,000 are found in East Mesa.
Explore the unique charm and character of University Manor's desert community.
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Major shopping centers and downtown small businesses
Shopping and dining are found all throughout Mesa, and two large shopping malls are especially popular. Mesa Grand Shopping Center is an outdoor mall where folks can dine at national chain eateries, shop at department stores and catch the latest blockbuster at the local AMC. In Mesa’s east, Superstition Springs Center is an indoor mall that offers over 120 stores and restaurants. Downtown Mesa’s well-known for its small business scene, where residents can find lots of locally owned specialty shops, bars, cafes and restaurants.
Mesa Grand Shopping Center offers plenty of shopping and dining options.
Bass Pro Sho at Mesa Riverview has all the gear and equipment you may need.
Evergreen Historic District locals love the specialty cider served at Cider Corps.
Mickey D's Cafe is a local staple near Northeast Mesa.
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Mesa Unified School District receives high marks from Niche
The Mesa Unified School District serves over 58,000 students across more than 70 campuses, and earns an overall A-minus from Niche. The A-rated Red Mountain High is one of the district’s top schools, where students may take dual enrollment courses for college credit at Mesa Community College. Private school options include the A-rated Redeemer Christian School, where students take part in community service projects as a part of their education.
Franklin Accelerated Academy's office is located on the east side of campus.
Redeemer Christian School in Mesa is a K-12 school.
Shepherd Junior High School in Mesa is rated an "A+ School of Excellence."
Red Mountain High School also has a large auditorium.
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Getting around from Mesa
Mesa is about 19 miles east of Phoenix, a 30- to 40-minute drive during rush hour. Locals are generally car-dependent, and Routes 60, 202 and 101 allow folks to navigate the Greater Phoenix Area. Streets are usually lined with sidewalks and sometimes bike lanes, though summer heat can be an inhibiting factor for walking and biking. Valley Metro buses travel throughout the city, and the downtown light rail has routes to Phoenix and Tempe. The regional Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is within the city, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 12 miles west. Banner Desert Medical Center, in the West Central Mesa community, is easily accessible from anywhere in the city.
Over 200 parks to explore
Mesa offers over 200 parks, community pools and recreation centers. Parks here include playgrounds and playing fields, splash pads, trail systems and pickleball courts, while Mesa’s recreation centers often include pools, gyms and classrooms; residents can learn more about offered classes and seasonal activities in the city’s Playbook publication. Usery Mountain Regional Park borders Mesa to the east, offering more than 3,000 acres of biking, hiking and equestrian trails, like the dirt-packed, 7-mile Pass Mountain Trail, which loops through unobstructed, sweeping desert mountain views.
From February through March, major league spring training games are held at the waterside Sloan Park, in Riverview , and Hohokam Stadium, found north of the Tempe Canal. Mesa is also home to several golf courses, including the 18-hole public course at Las Sendas Golf Club, popular for its rolling green fairways with scenic views of the Usery Mountains.
Celebrate Mesa's spirit at Riverview Park with events and activities.
Sloan Park attracts Fraser Fields locals for spring training.
Discover the vibrant atmosphere of N. Center's Hohokam Stadium, Meza's sporting epicenter.
Residents enjoy taking their dogs for walks on the local trails around Northeast Mesa.
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Inclusive, cultural hub in the Phoenix Metro Area
“Mesa's downtown is really up-and-coming, and it has a little bit more of an artistic element, or originality, than other downtown areas in the East Valley,” Strzelczyk says. Along Main Street, colorful murals and sculptures by local artists brighten the downtown cityscape. The Mesa Amphitheater and Mesa Art Center bring live music, art exhibitions and Phoenix Symphony performances to the area; at the art center, residents may sign up for courses like ceramics classes and teen art workshops. Downtown’s also popular for its year-round schedule of events, like April’s Mesa Music Festival, a three-day celebration with hundreds of performances from established and emerging local artists.
In 2019, the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards named Mesa the first autism-certified city in the country. Mesa provides a Sensory Guide for its businesses, parks and museums that aims to improve its inclusivity.
Elevate your musical journey with expert guidance from Milano Music near Park Center Place.
Downtown Mesa is filled with many murals that serve as photo backdrops.
Downtown Mesa’s Mesa Arts Center hosts many events, classes, and more throughout the year.
Cool off in the fountain at Mesa’s Arizona Celebration of Freedom.
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Crime and environmental concerns
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, Mesa’s reported property and violent crime rates are generally on par with U.S. and national figures. In 2024, the Mesa Police Department said that the city’s overall crime rate was the lowest in documented history.
Since summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, residents have to keep the climate in mind when heading out. “There are some brave souls that will go to the park in the summer, but there are a lot of situations where we hear about people having a heat stroke,” Strzelczyk says. Private and community pools are a welcome respite for locals looking to escape the summer heat. Mesa is also at risk of wildfires, though there have not been any in recent years. Fire insurance isn’t required in Arizona, but homebuyers may want to look into insurance options and emergency preparedness plans.
On average, homes in Mesa, AZ sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Mesa, AZ over the last 12 months is $367,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
