How many renters in Mesa, AZ pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Mesa, AZ, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

55.1% (±1.9 points) of renting households in Mesa, AZ spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

44.1% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 32.3% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 55.1% (±1.9 points)
Paying 35% or more: 44.1% (±1.6 points)
Median share of income: 32.3% (±0.7 points)

Rent as a share of income in Mesa

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Mesa	Maricopa County	Arizona	United States
Less than 15%	9.7% (±1.1 points)	10.3%	11.8%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	11.9% (±1.0 points)	11.5%	11.8%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	11.5% (±1.0 points)	13.4%	13.2%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	11.8% (±1.1 points)	12.2%	11.8%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	11.0% (±1.1 points)	9.5%	9.3%	9.2%
35% or more	44.1% (±1.6 points)	43.1%	42.2%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Mesa against Maricopa County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Mesa	Maricopa County	Arizona	United States
Paying 30% or more	55.1% (±1.9 points)	52.6% (±0.7 points)	51.5% (±0.6 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	44.1% (±1.6 points)	43.1% (±0.6 points)	42.2% (±0.5 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	32.3% (±0.7 points)	31.4% (±0.4 points)	30.8% (±0.3 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$59,531 (±$1,949)	$63,203 (±$842)	$57,682 (±$588)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,620 (±$25)	$1,708 (±$8)	$1,543 (±$7)	$1,413

In Mesa, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is higher than in Maricopa County (52.6%).

It is also higher than in Arizona (51.5%).

It is higher than the national figure (51.1%).

In Maricopa County, Mesa ranks 18 of 32 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 57 of 209.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Mesa

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Mesa
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Mesa	—	55.1% (±1.9 points)	—
Gilbert	6.4 mi	46.3% (±3.9 points)	Lower
Apache Junction	10 mi	55.7% (±9.9 points)	Not measurably different
Chandler	11 mi	45.6% (±3.0 points)	Lower
Tempe	12 mi	52.8% (±3.5 points)	Not measurably different
Queen Creek	13 mi	48.7% (±10.1 points)	Not measurably different
Fountain Hills	14 mi	52.4% (±10.6 points)	Not measurably different
Guadalupe	14 mi	61.5% (±18.6 points)	Not measurably different
Sun Lakes	16 mi	72.5% (±17.1 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Gilbert, AZ (46.3%), Chandler, AZ (45.6%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Sun Lakes, AZ (72.5%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Maricopa County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
12	Tolleson	59.6% (±17.7 points)
13	Peoria	59.2% (±4.2 points)
14	Glendale	58.4% (±3.2 points)
15	Surprise	55.6% (±5.9 points)
16	Youngtown	55.2% (±12.3 points)
17 (tie)	Avondale	55.1% (±5.6 points)
17 (tie)	Mesa	55.1% (±1.9 points)
19	Tempe	52.8% (±3.5 points)
20	Fountain Hills	52.4% (±10.6 points)
21	Phoenix	51.7% (±1.0 points)
22	Citrus Park	50.0% (±64.4 points)
23	Cave Creek	48.8% (±42.9 points)
24	Queen Creek	48.7% (±10.1 points)

Showing 13 of 32 places in Maricopa County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Mesa

Are renters in Mesa rent-burdened?

55.1% of renting households in Mesa pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Mesa spend on rent?

The median renting household in Mesa, AZ spends 32.3% (±0.7 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Mesa city, Arizona (place:46000, in state:04).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.