Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Mesa, AZ's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Rutland?

Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Mesa vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Mesa

Arizona

$1,470/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,470 in Mesa, AZ versus $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 30% higher in Mesa, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Mesa, AZ

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,209

$893

+26% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,288

$856

+34% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,458

$1,097

+25% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,207

+34% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$364,300

$176,400

+52% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$78,779

$55,000

+30% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

48.5 yr

+11.3 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

64.4%

52.7%

+11.7 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.5%

32.2%

+0.7 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

25.0 min

14.7 min

+10.3 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

486.2

487.8

+0% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

1,488

3,973.3

+167% in Rutland, VT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

75.1°F

44.6°F

+30.5°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

40.5 in

+32.4 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Mesa, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

24.4

+61% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.74

$26.07

+5% in Rutland, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / VT)

5.6%

+0.4 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

8.75%

+6.3 pp in VT

Mesa vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Mesa, AZ's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Rutland?: Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 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).