Bellevue WA vs Tempe AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 13.9% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 2.2% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 9.5% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $77,643 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $42,371 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.7% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 16.2% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 49.5% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 41.6% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 27.2% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.2% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.6% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 10.7% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 9.1% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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