Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Mesa, AZ
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 Mesa leads 14 of 23 categories
Mesa
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,766
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High
Population
503,390 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Mesa, AZ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (4.7%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 54°F
Rent averages $109/mo less ($1,352 vs $1,461)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than South Fulton
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,700
Violent crime (482.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Median income trails South Fulton by $3,722/yr
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Homes cost $86k less ($242,200 vs $327,700)
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 106°F
Households earn $3,722 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.7%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Mesa
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Mesa
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
4.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
Mesa
Summer Heat
15.8°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 90.1°F
South Fulton
Median Income
$3,722
$77,488 vs $73,766/yr
South Fulton
Violent Crime
3% lower
470.5 vs 482.7 per 100k
South Fulton
Median Home Value
$86k less
$242,200 vs $327,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,700⚠ High | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,352⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,766 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.8 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.6% ✓ Higher | 12.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mesa Unified District (4235) | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer | 54.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.8" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 503,390 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.0% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.9% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Mesa's cost of living index is 98.4 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Mesa is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Mesa leads 14 of 23 categories. Mesa wins 14 and South Fulton wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Mesa to South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,700 vs $242,200 median home), income ($73,766 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Mesa, AZ and South Fulton, GA are about 1,559 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.