Living in Mesquite, TX
Mesquite is the 181st-largest city in the US, home to about 151,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 150,693+0.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $245,7003.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,513/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $72,537median, per year
- Price level
- 103.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 58° / 97°lows 38° / 78°
- Average commute
- 32 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Dallas County, Kaufman County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 495 ft
Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Cost of living in Mesquite
The median home in Mesquite is worth $245,700 and the median household earns $72,537 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,513 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area at 103.1, with housing at 117.9 and goods at 102.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,300 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in Mesquite?
Mesquite weather
Average highs run from 58°F in January to 97°F in July, and January nights average 38°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 2 inches of snow. Expect about 108 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to April and November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Mesquite
People and work
The median resident is 32.9 years old, and 20% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 63% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 32 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 32.983rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 20%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 63%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,06949.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%1% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 13.4%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1983median year
Who moves to Mesquite, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Austin (Travis County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Austin (Travis County) and San Antonio (Bexar County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for Dallas County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, inland flooding, heat wave, winter weather.
Home prices
+0.5% in a year
Up 35% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
28% good days
45 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Mesquite
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Globe Life Field 28 miles
- Dallas College 11 miles
- The University of Texas at Arlington 29 miles
- The University of Texas at Dallas 17 miles
- Southern Methodist University 11 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Mesquite
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Love Field Airport DAL | 15 mi | 8,654,991 |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport DFW | 27 mi | 42,351,316 |
| Tyler Pounds Regional Airport TYR | 76 mi | 51,296 |
| Waco Regional Airport ACT | 88 mi | 53,849 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Mesquite
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas College | 11 mi | 43,869 | $16,414 | n/a |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | 17 mi | 21,751 | $15,271 | 79% |
| Southern Methodist University | 11 mi | 7,277 | $39,816 | 83% |
| University of North Texas at Dallas | 14 mi | 2,878 | $12,111 | 39% |
| Dallas Baptist University | 20 mi | 2,403 | $25,954 | 60% |
| University of Dallas | 19 mi | 1,403 | $68,064 | 66% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Mesquite
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 2, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 16 and the first frost comes around November 29.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Dallas Love Field, TX, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Mesquite.
Wildfire smoke in Mesquite
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Mesquite on about 154 days a year, including about 21 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Mesquite
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 50,171 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Mesquite
Downtown Mesquite is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesquite Independent School District | Pre-K to 12 | 37,930 | 51 | 13.7 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Dallas Independent School District (139,802 students), Garland Independent School District (51,021 students), Richardson Independent School District (36,971 students), Rockwall Independent School District (19,235 students), Forney Independent School District (18,565 students), Crandall Independent School District (6,922 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Mesquite's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Mesquite's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- North Charleston, SC71% matchCompare
- Savannah, GA70% matchCompare
- San Antonio, TX69% matchCompare
- South Fulton, GA63% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Mesquite
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Mesquite
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.4 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 108 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Commutes are long: 32 minutes each way on average.
- Data High natural hazard risk in Dallas County (FEMA rates it very high), led by tornado, inland flooding and heat wave.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 45 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
Mesquite report card from locals
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Mesquite through locals' eyes
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Cities near Mesquite
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 10 mi | 1,329,491 | $320,700 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Garland, TX | 10 mi | 249,625 | $270,800 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Richardson, TX | 15 mi | 118,542 | $431,400 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Plano, TX | 19 mi | 293,028 | $465,900 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Irving, TX | 22 mi | 257,076 | $315,600 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Carrollton, TX | 23 mi | 134,562 | $381,000 | 103.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Mesquite ranks 70th of 77 in our best suburbs of Dallas ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Mesquite with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Mesquite a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income, no state income tax on wages; the trade-offs are 108 days a year at 90°F or hotter, long commutes. Compare Mesquite side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Mesquite?
The Census Bureau estimates Mesquite had 150,693 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 150,232 in April 2020 (+0.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Mesquite?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,300 in the Mesquite area. The median household here earns $72,537.
When is the best time to visit Mesquite?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to April and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 97°F and January 58°F for daytime highs.
What county is Mesquite in?
Most of Mesquite (90% of its land) is in Dallas County. Smaller parts lie in Kaufman County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Mesquite in?
Mesquite is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Mesquite?
About 495 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Mesquite. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Dallas Love Field, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.