Your Mesa, AZ, Real Estate Questions Answered

The word “mesa” refers to a flat-topped hill, often with steep sides. But in the Phoenix area, it also refers to a bustling city of over half a million residents. Mesa, Arizona, is the third-most populous city in Arizona. So why have people flocked to Mesa, and what do you need to know about the community if you’re considering moving there? Let’s explore the great American Southwest with a tour through the city and Mesa real estate.

About Mesa, AZ

Get in a time machine as far back as 1,500 years ago, and you will find Mesa to be a thriving community. That’s because the Hohokam people had been flourishing in the valley for over 1,500 years, according to the Mesa Museum. 

The Hohokam left their mark by building one of the most sophisticated systems of canals in the pre-Columbian world. And these were hand-dug canals! So, people have had a strong connection to the land in Mesa for a long time.

Modern Mesa, AZ, began with the exploration of Mormon settlers. Daniel Webster Jones left Utah in 1877. The Mormon church sought to expand southward into Mexico while building way-stations along the route. One such stop was Mesa, where the fertile soil and the Salt River made for an ideal settling spot to start farming. By 1878, Mesa was registered as a townsite. 

Along with the entire Phoenix area, the population grew rapidly through the 20th century, eventually settling to its 2020 Census population of 504,258. The invention of air conditioning helped, as did the influx of World War II veterans.

Today’s Mesa is one of the 40 largest cities in the US. So, don’t think of Mesa as a mere suburb of Phoenix. Think of it as its own city with its own identity.

What county is Mesa, AZ, in?

Maricopa County is a county of several million residents. Inside its expansive borders are all Phoenix’s large cities and suburbs, creating the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area. 

Maricopa County sits in the central-southwestern portion of Arizona. It’s so large, in fact, that it’s one of those rare counties in the US that’s larger than several American states. The metropolitan area also constitutes the core of Arizona’s government and influence, given that it’s both a large county, the most populous in the state, and the seat of the state government. 

Is Mesa, AZ, growing?

A large percentage growth would be unusual since Mesa has already achieved over half a million residents. Between 2020 and the 2021 US census estimate, the city tacked on an additional 5,000 residents, moving from 504,000 to 509,000 residents. That’s a good enough population increase for the third-largest city in Arizona. 

What is the cost of living in Mesa, AZ?

Honestly, the data says it’s a tad high. According to Sperling’s Best Places Index, the cost of living in Mesa is 108.4, where 100 is the national average, suggesting it’s more expensive than elsewhere in the country. 

But it does note that this is partially because there’s so much to do in Mesa. It’s easy to forget Mesa is such a large city with lots of opportunity and lots to do, which tends to drive up the cost of living.

According to the MIT Living Wage Index, Maricopa County requires a living wage of $18.48 per hour for one adult with no kids or $24.12 per hour for a household with two adults working with two children. 

Housing and transportation costs tend to drive these up in the Maricopa County. For example, two adults with three children living in the area could expect transportation costs as high as $15,073 per year.

What is the average price of a home in Mesa, AZ?

If you’re looking for a nice home, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one. According to East Valley, there are two Mesa zip codes with average home prices in the seven-figure range. 

Arizona Real Estate reports a residential median list price of $464,500 for the Mesa community as a whole. That’s fast on the rise, representing a 3+% increase from August 2023 to September 2023.

Are there any waterfront properties found in Mesa, AZ?

The Mesa Historical Museum rests along the Salt River, which borders the Mesa community from the northeast to the southwest as it moves into Tempe. Along this path are a few waterfront neighborhoods, with Mesa Grande being the most obvious. That’s where you can find Sloan Park and the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West. 

Further northeast, you can find Seyenna Vistas, a single-family home area across the highway from the Salt River. Otherwise, the Mesa map will remind you why the Hohokam dug canals in this area: it’s mostly flat land. Your best chance for waterfront living is on one of these canals, which run across multiple Mesa neighborhoods.

Are there golf course communities in Mesa, AZ? 

Yes. For example, Diamond Point at Las Sendes Mountain is on Las Sendes Golf Club, an area not too far from Usery Regional Park to the east. Alta Mesa Golf Club is a member-owned golfing community with several sub-neighborhoods for you to select from: Park Lines, Alta Mesa Estates, and Silverado among them. 

There’s also Red Mountain Ranch, a country club and wedding venue featuring all sorts of living amenities, from a fitness center to a tennis court. The gated Superstition Mountain community has two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses. 

The availability of these communities includes at least four more options. For that reason, if you’re interested in golf course real estate, a local real estate agent is your best resource for narrowing down your choices.

What neighborhoods are in Mesa, AZ?

With half a million residents, it only makes sense that you can’t categorize all of Mesa with a single sentence. It’s split up into distinct neighborhoods. 

The most obvious is the downtown business district. There, you’ll find the seat of local government, businesses, museums, coffee shops, and even a cidery. New construction is bringing multifamily living options to this part of the city.

The city also features an Asian District where the city’s multinational Asian influence can be found. That includes 70+ Asian-themed restaurants, along with grocery stores and other businesses that proudly show off the area’s immigrant heritage and ties to multiple countries in eastern Asia.

There are many more urbanized districts to Mesa’s west, where Mesa runs into much of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Places like Kleinman Park, Mesa Grande, and Casa Mesa II feature many consecutive residential streets, local businesses, and local education centers ranging from elementary schools to the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT).

Eastmark features award-winning schools, 75 in-neighborhood parks with outdoor activities suitable for all ages, and plenty of clubs and social programs that keep children and families active. 

At Apache Wells, a 55+ community, you’ll find the other end of the spectrum: a relaxed atmosphere for people reaching or at retirement age. There are over 1,400 homes in the Apache Wells development, and the lifestyle is complemented by social groups and fitness facilities.

What is the property tax rate for Mesa, AZ?

Property tax rates in Maricopa County apply to a large, complex population, so data may vary depending on where you’re finding your information. For example, in Mesa #4 (Unified) as a district, the county reports a primary rate of 3.7918. In the City of Mesa, the report says no primary levies but a secondary rate of 0.8582 for bond debt service.

How is golf in Mesa, AZ?

We can’t detail all the golf in Mesa because there are 23 courses to play! The views and fairways at these courses are wide-open and spectacular. 

The most apparent name in local golfing is probably the Mesa Country Club, located in the city’s northern section, closer to the Salt River. This is an 18-hole private golf course with all the typical amenities, like carts, a driving range, and a year-round open schedule thanks to the hot Arizona climate.

Royal Palms Golf Course is another favorite in the area. This is more of a family-friendly destination, being family-owned and family-run. It features a practice facility and on-course lessons. 

The eastern portion of Mesa is packed with golf courses, from the aforementioned Alta Mesa Golf Club to the Painted Mountain Golf Resort.

What areas are near Mesa, AZ?

It might be easier to ask: what aren’t? We’ve written about Phoenix to Mesa’s west. But the entire metropolitan area sprawls generally east-west, with the Salt River as a border. 

To Mesa’s immediate west, you have Tempe, AZ. This city shares much of the local history with Mesa, given that the Hohokam people also built canals in the land, which eventually became Tempe. 

Beyond Tempe, you’ll also find Scottsdale to the north, across the Salt River from Mesa. This upscale city is known for its golfing and vacation resorts, upscale shopping, and high quality of life. 

Go east, however, and you run into the extent of this metropolitan area. That’s where you’ll run into the Usery Mountain Regional Park. To the immediate north, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community makes its home. This community has been in existence since the days of President Rutherford B. Hayes. It is a testament to the Native American history and culture found around Mesa.

What to know about living in Mesa, AZ

Mesa, Arizona, may be overshadowed by its bigger brother, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook it when searching for a home in the Phoenix metro. Think about what you gain in Mesa:

• Beautiful views.
• Access to wide-open spaces.
• A bustling economy that keeps home prices high.

The cost of living is higher in Mesa than on average, but that’s also typical of larger cities. 

Does Mesa sound like the community for you? Reach out to find a local Mesa real estate agent who can narrow down the excellent neighborhoods to kickstart your home search.