Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Mesa, Arizona, both have their unique charm and offers unique opportunities for residents and tourists alike. From crime rates and weather to the structure of their economies and health care quality, they differ significantly. As the nation's fifth-largest city, Philadelphia is known for its rich history, diverse cultures, substantial job opportunities, and varied neighborhoods. Mesa, the 3rd largest city in Arizona, is renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, subtropical desert climate, thriving industries, and beautiful landscapes. This comprehensive comparison will help you understand what it's like to live, work, and visit these two dynamic cities.
Distance between
Philadelphia, PA and
Mesa, AZ : 2,062.6 miles
Philadelphia's population is larger by 209%. Its population has grown by 58,701 people (3.9%) since 2000. The population of Mesa has grown by 113,100 people (28.5%) during that time.
Philadelphia has a higher crime rate compared to Mesa, which may be concerning to potential residents or visitors. However, like any large city, crime rates can vary significantly depending on the neighborhood. In general, center-city Philadelphia areas are safe with added security presence around tourist spots. Mesa, on the other hand, boasts a lower crime rate, making it a safer option overall. However, caution is always advised, as crime can occur anywhere.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 2,776 registered sex offenders living in Philadelphia and 635 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Philadelphia is 565 to 1; the ratio in Mesa is 763 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Philadelphia than in Mesa.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Philadelphia is generally higher than in Mesa. This includes housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation. However, the difference in costs can be offset by the relatively higher average salaries earned in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Mesa affords a more affordable lifestyle, but the average incomes tend to be lower.
Income Tax
California has one of the highest income tax rates in the U.S.—13.3% for the highest earners. In contrast, Arizona's income tax rate is significantly lower—the maximum being 4.5%.
Property Tax
The property tax rate in California averages 0.77%, lower than the national average, while it is 0.72% in Arizona. However, compared to home values, property owners in San Francisco might end up paying more due to the high real estate prices.
Sales Tax
Both California and Arizona impose state sales taxes on goods sold, but the rate in Arizona (5.6%) is lower than California (7.25%). However, city sales taxes affect the final price too. In San Francisco, the total sales tax rate (state, county, and city combined) is 8.5%, while in Tucson it's 8.7%.
Income
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Estimated median household income
$52,899
$69,266
Estimated per capita income
$32,707
$35,439
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
105.4
101
If you make $50,000 in Mesa, you will have to make $52,178 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Francisco, located on the coast, is characterized by its hilly landscape and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Tucson, a desert city surrounded by five mountain ranges, offers unique southwestern landscapes, complete with saguaros and other desert fauna.
Philadelphia has a robust educational structure with highly rated institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. The city's educational infrastructure is well-developed and offers a variety of elementary, secondary, and higher education opportunities. Mesa also takes education seriously, with well-regarded public schools and several higher-education institutions, like the Mesa Community College and Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus.
Philadelphia's economy is diverse, with strong sectors in healthcare, education, and finance. The city is home to several Fortune 500 companies, providing robust job opportunities. Conversely, Mesa's economy is characterized by strong sectors in retail, healthcare, education, and aerospace, but overall fewer job opportunities due to its smaller population and economy size.
Biggest Employers
Biggest employers in San Francisco include Salesforce, Sutter Health, and Uber Technologies. For those interested in tech, healthcare, or startups, there's no shortage of opportunities. Meanwhile, the University of Arizona, Raytheon Company, and the State of Arizona are some of the top employers in Tucson, mainly offering jobs in education, tech, and administration.
There were 1,553 building permits issued in Philadelphia in 2012 (1108 more than in 2011) compared to 2,046 building permits issued in Mesa in 2012 (1543 more than in 2011).
In Philadelphia (Philadelphia County), 85.2% voted for Democrats and 14.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Mesa (Maricopa County), 43.6% voted for Democrats and 54.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
2020
81.2%
50.2%
17.9%
48.0%
0.9%
1.8%
2016
82.3%
44.9%
15.3%
47.7%
2.4%
7.5%
2012
85.2%
43.6%
14.0%
54.3%
0.8%
2.1%
2008
83.2%
44.0%
16.4%
54.5%
0.4%
1.5%
2004
80.6%
42.4%
19.4%
57.0%
0.0%
0.6%
2000
80.4%
43.0%
18.1%
53.4%
1.5%
3.6%
1996
77.4%
44.5%
16.0%
47.2%
6.6%
8.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
CATHOLIC CHURCH
24.8%
13.6%
8.8%
4.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
3.8%
0.2%
6.7%
0.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.6%
0.2%
3.1%
1.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2.2%
1.9%
9.9%
6.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.3%
3.8%
1.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.8%
3.1%
2.0%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.0%
1.4%
0.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
1.7%
2.0%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.5%
0.5%
1.5%
VINEYARD USA
0.0%
0.3%
0.1%
0.6%
Weather
Philadelphia experiences a more varied climate, with hot, humid summers and cold winters, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy changing seasons. There's also rainfall throughout the year. Mesa, on contrast, has a hot desert climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. The weather can be excessively hot for some, but others appreciate the almost constant sunshine and clear skies.
Weather and climate
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Temperature - Average
54.8°F
71.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
37.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
48%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
60%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
12%
Precipitation - Yearly average
45.7 in
9.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
45.1 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.4%
35.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
59.8%
92.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
18%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
63%
95%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
79%
Wind speed - Average
10 mph
6.6 mph
Average climate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average climate in Mesa, Arizona
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
Philadelphia
Mesa
2018
99
200
0.37
0.28
10.7
15.1
24.3
34.8
N/A
N/A
17.2
28.1
9.2
7.5
0.9
0.6
2017
105
128
0.32
0.28
11.0
15.8
25.3
35.1
0.004
N/A
22.3
24.5
8.9
8.2
1.0
1.4
2016
99
121
0.30
0.31
13.6
15.7
25.1
34.6
0.007
N/A
23.2
21.5
9.5
6.8
1.4
0.4
2015
110
104
0.34
0.34
15.8
17.6
22.6
33.4
0.007
N/A
23.9
17.7
10.5
6.8
1.8
0.9
2014
105
135
0.34
0.33
16.8
19.6
23.1
34.0
0.027
N/A
23.0
30.8
11.7
8.4
2.2
1.1
2013
105
141
0.27
0.31
16.7
19.9
22.5
34.8
0.029
N/A
31.0
29.3
10.5
5.8
1.5
0.9
2012
111
159
0.29
0.38
17.8
21.2
23.0
33.7
0.040
N/A
14.6
37.9
11.7
8.1
1.5
1.3
2011
113
205
0.28
0.31
19.9
18.5
24.3
34.1
0.039
N/A
16.9
40.4
9.8
9.5
1.9
0.9
2010
116
100
0.30
0.31
20.1
16.4
23.0
32.9
0.009
N/A
21.7
29.5
12.2
8.3
2.6
1.2
2009
95
109
0.32
0.33
18.9
16.6
19.7
32.3
0.011
N/A
18.0
37.8
11.9
N/A
2.9
1.0
2008
112
106
0.30
0.29
19.8
17.5
19.1
34.2
0.010
N/A
16.8
39.9
13.9
N/A
3.8
1.1
2007
128
134
0.42
0.43
21.6
19.3
23.3
31.0
0.019
N/A
17.5
50.6
12.3
N/A
4.2
1.9
2006
112
138
0.52
0.44
21.4
22.1
22.5
30.9
0.016
N/A
18.3
57.5
13.1
N/A
4.2
1.8
2005
108
109
0.58
0.49
24.4
22.6
20.8
30.0
0.018
N/A
19.7
49.1
N/A
N/A
5.0
1.7
2004
102
97
0.58
0.51
24.1
22.4
18.9
30.4
0.023
N/A
19.1
33.4
N/A
N/A
5.2
1.4
2003
103
99
0.62
0.56
23.8
24.0
19.7
31.7
0.034
N/A
19.6
42.6
N/A
N/A
5.4
1.4
2002
128
110
0.56
0.69
26.8
24.9
21.2
28.0
0.035
N/A
18.3
41.8
N/A
N/A
4.9
1.6
2001
119
105
0.63
0.65
27.9
23.8
20.0
27.2
0.014
N/A
20.6
37.8
N/A
N/A
5.6
1.5
2000
111
117
0.68
0.76
26.7
29.8
19.0
27.1
0.034
N/A
N/A
45.6
N/A
N/A
5.5
1.7
Natural disasters
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
96.6%
18.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
34.4%
2,348.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
22%
16%
Transportation
San Francisco offers an extensive public transportation network, including buses, trains, ferries, and the iconic cable cars. In contrast, Tucson's public transit is less comprehensive, with a bus network and one streetcar line. Commuting can be more of a challenge in Tucson due to its expansive geography and less frequent public transportation services.
Transport
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Amtrak stations
2
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
347
828
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
20
Means of transportation to work
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Bicycle
2%
0.6%
Bus
11.7%
0.3%
Carpooled
8.7%
14.4%
Car alone
60%
79.9%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.5%
Railroad
0.7%
0%
Streetcar
4.2%
0%
Subway
2.8%
0%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
7.8%
2.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Average
34.3 min
25 min
Other means
28.2 min
26.9 min
Public transportation
45.6 min
45.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.4%
85.8%
In 2 person carpool
10.2%
11.1%
In 3 person carpool
2%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities to live in the United States with an incredibly high real estate market. The densely populated city often sees property prices surpass the million-dollar mark. Tucson's real estate, in contrast, is significantly more affordable, making it a much more attainable choice for homeownership.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer a diverse range of neighborhoods. San Francisco's neighborhoods are quite compact due to its restrained geographical size. Each area has a distinct personality, from the fashionable Union Square to the tourist-friendly Fisherman's Wharf. Tucson offers a mix of suburban and urban living options, with neighborhoods like the affluent Catalina Foothills or the historic and artsy area around the University of Arizona.
Houses and residents
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Houses
733,015
221,995
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.6
Median year apartment built
1953
1987
Median year house/condo built
1947
1989
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16 years
11.2 years
Houses occupied
660,921 (90.2%)
199,112 (89.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
348,935 (52.8%)
126,146 (63.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
311,986 (47.2%)
72,966 (36.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,301
$1,890
Median monthly housing costs
$1,096
$1,220
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,453
$262,297
Estimated median house or condo value
$220,700
$350,100
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
5.9
Median house price - detached houses
$292,974
$421,563
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$357,727
$124,748
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$264,854
$226,327
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$442,314
$250,077
Median house price - mobile homes
$163,609
$70,636
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$93,218
$94,693
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$239,791
$256,984
Median house price - All housing units
$256,324
$364,728
Median house age
73
33
Renting percentage
45.9%
36.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,426.1
1,776.1
House value disparities
38.4%
31.1%
Household income disparities
49.5%
42.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$86,108
$97,987
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$44,075
$63,218
Housing units without a mortgage
8,484 (4%)
1,338 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
18,029 (8.5%)
5,628 (6.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
202,880 (96%)
80,572 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
1,280 (0.6%)
48 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
22,966 (10.9%)
7,236 (8.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
15
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.7%
0.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
3.3%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Philadelphia
Mesa
One, detached
9.9%
55.9%
One, attached
55.9%
6.6%
Two
7.4%
1.0%
3 or 4
6.7%
5.1%
5 to 9
2.8%
6.0%
10 to 19
2.5%
5.0%
20 to 49
3.1%
2.8%
50 or more
11.2%
5.3%
Mobile homes
0.3%
11.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.6%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
29,270
10,562
State government workers
16,901
6,039
Unpaid family workers
570
830
Industries and Occupations
San Francisco has a diverse set of dominant industries such as tech, finance, healthcare, and education. This range provides a variety of job opportunities catering to different sets of skills and interests. Tucson's economy, however, is primarily driven by the education and health services industry, followed by trade, transportation, utilities, and government services.
San Francisco's healthcare system is outstanding, with world-class research and medical facilities such as UCSF Medical Center. Tucson also has a robust healthcare system with facilities like the Banner University Medical Center offering quality care.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Francisco is home to the historical, yet bustling infrastructure, featuring many old-building revivals—and modern high-rises, plus an easy-to-navigate transportation system. On the other hand, Tucson, a city with western charm, has a robust infrastructure that includes well-maintained highways, an international airport, and rapidly expanding businesses and residential areas.
Infrastructure
Type
Philadelphia
Mesa
Hospitals
91
13
TV stations
24
18
Bank branches located here
329
97
Bank institutions located here
46
22
Main business address for public companies
47
2
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Philadelphia
Mesa
1999
3,294
2,532
2000
3,202
2,428
2001
2,480
1,854
2002
2,012
1,520
2003
3,268
1,991
2004
4,525
2,897
2005
6,637
3,857
2006
7,517
3,727
2007
5,750
1,896
2008
2,745
765
2009
1,390
440
Culture and Food
San Francisco and Tucson offer rich, diverse cultures and culinary scenes. San Francisco is known for its worldwide influence on food—with everything from burritos to seafood, and Chinatown offering some of the best dim sum outside of Asia. Tucson, as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, is famous for its unique Southwestern cuisine and history dating back 4,000 years.
Sports Teams
Sport enthusiasts will find a home in either city. San Francisco boasts dominant teams like the 49ers (NFL), Giants (MLB), and Warriors (NBA). Tucson doesn't have major league teams, but it hosts spring training for the MLB, and the University of Arizona's sports teams often draw considerable interest.
Philadelphia, PA
Mesa, AZ
Philadelphia, PA and 
Mesa, AZ : 2,062.6 miles
