85208 vs 85281 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 85208, Orange = ZIP 85281.
Quick verdict: ZIP 85208 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 85281 is higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 85208
Mesa city, AZ
View full profile →- Population37,840
- Median Income$68,452
- Median Home Value$261k
- Median Rent$1,191
- Median Age44.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate10.6%
ZIP 85281
Tempe city, AZ
View full profile →- Population70,726
- Median Income$59,084
- Median Home Value$364k
- Median Rent$1,407
- Median Age25.3 yrs
- Poverty Rate26.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
37,84070,726
Median Income
$68,452$59,084
Median Home Value
$261k$364k
Median Rent
$1,191$1,407
Median Age
44.2 yrs25.3 yrs
Poverty Rate
10.6%26.2%
Demographics
ZIP 85208
Mesa city, AZ
View full profile →- White %72.7%
- Black %3.0%
- Asian %2.5%
- Hispanic %22.4%
- Age 0–17 %21.2%
- Age 18–64 %54.3%
- Age 65+ %24.5%
- Bachelor's+ %21.0%
- Diversity Index42/100
ZIP 85281
Tempe city, AZ
View full profile →- White %56.3%
- Black %7.3%
- Asian %12.3%
- Hispanic %24.2%
- Age 0–17 %9.1%
- Age 18–64 %84.7%
- Age 65+ %6.2%
- Bachelor's+ %48.7%
- Diversity Index60/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
72.7%56.3%
Black %
3.0%7.3%
Asian %
2.5%12.3%
Hispanic %
22.4%24.2%
Age 0–17 %
21.2%9.1%
Age 18–64 %
54.3%84.7%
Age 65+ %
24.5%6.2%
Bachelor's+ %
21.0%48.7%
Diversity Index
42/10060/100
Economy
ZIP 85208
Mesa city, AZ
View full profile →- Median Income$68,452
- Unemployment %5.8%
- IRS Net Migration+1,269
- Work From Home %11.9%
ZIP 85281
Tempe city, AZ
View full profile →- Median Income$59,084
- Unemployment %6.1%
- IRS Net Migration+2,372
- Work From Home %18.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$68,452$59,084
Unemployment %
5.8%6.1%
IRS Net Migration
+1,269+2,372
Work From Home %
11.9%18.7%
Housing
ZIP 85208
Mesa city, AZ
View full profile →- Median Home Value$261k
- Median Rent$1,191
- Owner Occupied %79.7%
- Broadband %90.0%
- Vacant %18.3%
- Median Year Built1989
ZIP 85281
Tempe city, AZ
View full profile →- Median Home Value$364k
- Median Rent$1,407
- Owner Occupied %23.8%
- Broadband %91.1%
- Vacant %12.4%
- Median Year Built1988
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$261k$364k
Median Rent
$1,191$1,407
Owner Occupied %
79.7%23.8%
Broadband %
90.0%91.1%
Vacant %
18.3%12.4%
Median Year Built
19891988
Climate & Location
ZIP 85208
Mesa city, AZ
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,518 ft
- Nearest Airport6.8 miles (10.9 km)
- Distance to Coast321.6 miles (517.5 km)
ZIP 85281
Tempe city, AZ
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,167 ft
- Nearest Airport4.2 miles (6.7 km)
- Distance to Coast304.4 miles (489.9 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,518 ft1,167 ft
Nearest Airport
6.8 miles (10.9 km)4.2 miles (6.7 km)
Distance to Coast
321.6 miles (517.5 km)304.4 miles (489.9 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 85281
Tempe city, AZ
View full profile →- Work From Home %18.7%
- Walkability (0–100)71
- Broadband %91.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
11.9%18.7%
Walkability (0–100)
4671
Broadband %
90.0%91.1%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 85208 and 85281 compare?
ZIP 85208 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 85281 is higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (85208), orange the second (85281). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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