Austin TX vs Phoenix AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.8 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 59.9% | 53.7% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.9% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $77,041 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $40,309 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 32.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.3% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.3% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.2% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Austin +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 72.1°F | Austin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.7 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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