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Central Mesa

Central Mesa

Suburban Neighborhood in Mesa, Arizona

Maricopa County 85204, 85206

$443,158 Average Value
$242 Average Price per Sq Ft
57 Homes For Sale

A centrally located suburb between Mesa and Gilbert

Located between the downtown areas of both Mesa and Gilbert, Central Mesa is a sought-after community known for its wide variety of homes, public transportation and access to restaurants and nightlife. “The neighborhood is more mature, with a little more character than your typical tract homes. They have more of a custom feel,” says Bryce Henderson, a Realtor with Four Peaks Brokerage Company who’s sold homes in the area for 12 years. “It draws a lot of people who grew up in the area and want to move back.” Several shopping centers are nearby, and commuters making the 20-mile trip to Downtown Phoenix can hop on the Valley Metro’s light rail to avoid traffic. The area's many houses of worship include Without Walls Church, Sant Nirankari Spiritual Center and the Islamic Education Foundation of Arizona.

From manufactured to custom homes

Set close together along sidewalk-lined streets, most homes here are 1980s ranch-style, though buyers can also find Mediterranean and Craftsman-style new traditional homes built between the 1990s and 2020s. Yards are large enough for an ornamental tree and a two-car paved driveway, where basketball hoops are a common sight; some backyards have in-ground pools, for cooling off in the desert heat. Layouts range from 1,000 and 3,600 square feet with two to five bedrooms, and prices range from $330,000 to $775,000, depending on size and renovations. Central Mesa's largest homes have layouts between 2,800 and 4,400 square feet, and are generally either 1980s brick ranch-style houses or 2010s Mediterranean-style custom designs. These mini estates sit on roughly half-acre lots, and often have guest houses, pools and horse privileges. Prices range from $850,000 to $1.4 million, depending on a home's size and amenities. Throughout the neighborhood, two- and three-bedroom townhouses have Mediterranean-style details like clay-tiled roofs and stucco exteriors. Layouts range from 800 to 1,600 square feet, with prices of $250,000 to $400,000, plus monthly homeowners association fees of $70 to $200 that cover ground maintenance and roof repairs. In the north, 55-plus communities have manufactured homes built between the 1970s and 2020s; these typically have carports, and layouts range from 400 to 1,500 square feet. Prices vary by size and age, ranging from $15,000 to $215,000; however, many homeowners will have to lease their land, which can cost an additional $500 to $1,000 each month.

“Carry on” at Mesa High

Local kids can attend schools in the Mesa Unified School District, which earns an A-minus from Niche and is a school choice district. Depending on where kids live in the neighborhood, they might attend the A-rated Franklin at Brimhall Elementary or the B-plus-rated Porter Elementary. They might continue to the B-rated Taylor Junior High before attending the B-plus-rated Mesa High. The high school’s motto, “Carry on,” comes from former student and football player Zedo Ishikawa, who was accidentally shot the night before the football team’s 1932 opening game. In his final words, he said he wanted the team to “carry on” and play. His memory is honored today in the lyrics of the school’s song and in the annual Ishikawa Award, given to Mesa High’s top athletes.

Along Highway 60

Highway 60 passes through the neighborhood’s south, leading 20 miles west to Downtown Phoenix. Downtown Mesa is roughly 4 miles west on Main Street, and Downtown Gilbert is a 3-mile trip south on Gilbert Road. The Valley Metro’s light rail stops in the neighborhood’s northwest, offering a traffic-free route to Downtown Phoenix; the Valley Metro’s bus stops throughout the neighborhood. Dedicated bike lanes, the multi-use Sun Circle Trail and sidewalks make the area bike and pedestrian friendly. Dignity Health AZ General Hospital Emergency Room is to the southwest, and Banner Gateway Medical Center is around 3 miles east. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, which has domestic commercial flights, is around 16 miles southeast, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 15-mile trip.

Off-leash dog area at Countryside Park

There are lots of neighborhood options for getting outside. At the 30-acre Countryside Park, kids can burn off some energy on the shaded playground or join Superstition Little League, which plays on the park’s two lighted baseball fields. The park also has a fenced-in dog park where pups can run around off-leash. The 20-acre Greenfield Park is also popular, offering a shaded playground, stocked fishing lake and exercise stations. Cyclists can hop on the paved Sun Circle Trail to bike around the Phoenix metro area. On hot days, residents might cool off at the Mesa Aquatic Complex, which has a lazy river and eight-lane pool, or head to Fat Cats Gilbert, an indoor entertainment center with bowling, mini-golf and movie theaters.

Homemade fruit pies at Little Mesa Café

“Areas around Central Mesa and downtown are getting totally rejuvenated,” says Kevin Weil, Realtor and Team Leader at Re/Max Excaliber who lives close by. “A lot of mom-and-pop places. Lots of breweries, too. There’s a dynamic where you have more modern entertainment but, at the same time, a lot of family-type businesses who have been there for 50 years. A great combination of new and old.” The locally owned Little Mesa Café has been serving chicken fried steaks and homemade fruit pies since 1985. India Oven is known for its lunch buffet with a wide variety of Indian entrees. Nearby chain restaurants include Fruitlandia and Pita Jungle. Downtown Mesa is around 4 miles west, where diners can get a sandwich from Worth Takeaway or unwind at 12 West Brewing. Stores like The Home Depot and Target are close by, and nearby grocery stores include Fry’s and Trader Joe’s.

Live music at the Mesa Arts Center and Mesa Amphitheatre

Downtown Mesa is home to several museums and performance venues. The Mesa Arts Center hosts touring Broadway plays, classical music performances and concerts by renowned musicians like Samara Joy and André 3000. The Mesa Amphitheatre is an outdoor venue with more opportunities to see live music. The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum has a permanent collection of local and international artists, and the Arizona Museum of Natural History offers a glimpse of Arizona’s past, with a collection of dinosaur skeletons and artifacts from ancient cultures.

Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Kristen Rademacher
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Tyler Belile
Video By
Tyler Belile

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Angela Tanner, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway

20 min drive

Bus

Gilbert Rd & Southern Av

Bus

Gilbert Rd & Pueblo Av

Bus

Gilbert Rd & Clovis Av

Bus

Southern Av & Val Vista Dr

Bus

Main St & 3201 East

Bus

Southern Av & 3440 East

Bus

Gilbert Rd & Inverness Av

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Central Mesa US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$400,000
Median Single Family Price
$405,000
Median Townhouse Price
$340,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$242
Number of Homes for Sale
57
Last 12 months Home Sales
278
Months of Supply
2.50
Median List Price
$399,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
7,574
Median Year Built
1983
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,320
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,276
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
980
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    10am - 1pm

    3104 E Broadway Rd Unit 293, Mesa, AZ 85204

    $94,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,536 Sq Ft
    • 3104 E Broadway Rd
    • Unit 293

    Motivated Seller! Discover comfortable, low-maintenance living in this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom ground-set home located in the sought-after Brentwood West 55+ gated community. Spanning 1,536 square feet, this home was fully renovated in 2024 with a new air conditioner, furnace, water heater, and energy-efficient windows, offering year-round efficiency and comfort. The spacious

    Agent Photo
    Mindy Willert
    Dragonfly Homes By Mindy LLC
    (602) 783-8764
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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    10am - 1pm

    3104 E Broadway Rd Unit 116, Mesa, AZ 85204

    $74,500

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,248 Sq Ft
    • 3104 E Broadway Rd
    • Unit 116

    Step into your dream retirement home in the highly sought-after Brentwood West 55+ Gated Community in Mesa, AZ. This beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom Sahara model home offers 1,248 sq. ft. of living space, modern updates, and a prime location. Recent renovations (2025) include new luxury vinyl plank flooring, fresh interior paint, and a newly sealed roof. The spacious master suite

    Agent Photo
    Mindy Willert
    Dragonfly Homes By Mindy LLC
    (855) 729-9970
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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    10am - 1pm

    3104 E Broadway Rd Unit 184, Mesa, AZ 85204

    $60,500

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,152 Sq Ft
    • 3104 E Broadway Rd
    • Unit 184

    Located in the vibrant Brentwood West 55+ gated community in Mesa, this updated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers 1,152 square feet of easy, low-maintenance living. Situated on a larger lot, the property features an extra-large workshop, an enclosed porch, and fresh updates including new vinyl plank flooring, fresh interior paint, and modernized bathrooms with a walk-in shower. The home comes

    Agent Photo
    Mindy Willert
    Dragonfly Homes By Mindy LLC
    (480) 405-1785
    Section Image
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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Angela Tanner, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
34,517
Median Age
38
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$61,567
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$77,083

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91.3%
College Graduates
27.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.4%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
9''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
104°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

66 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

38 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

33 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Central Mesa