Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Mesa?

Mesa, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,460 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Mesa?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Mesa?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,460 in Mesa, AZ. Overall, Mesa, AZ is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 24% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,209

+2% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,288

+19% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,458

+22% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,819

+19% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$364,300

+29% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$78,779

+24% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$51,380

+13% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

37.2 yr

+3.7 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

64.4%

+4.6 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

31.5%

+22.2 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

25.0 min

+3.7 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

486.2

+40% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,488

+30% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

75.1°F

+18.0°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

—

8.0 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Mesa, AZ

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Valley Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.2

+30% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$22.44

+18% in Mesa, AZ

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Mesa, AZ

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / AZ)

5.6%

+0.4 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

2.50%

+4.0 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Mesa?: Mesa, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,460 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Mesa?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).