Carrollton 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)

Carrollton, TX

Texas · Population: 132,741

  • Median HH Income$99,115
  • Median Home Price$408,531
  • Unemployment3.2%
  • Bachelor's+43.3%

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
Carrollton
132,741
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Phoenix
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
32.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
57.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Phoenix
10.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Phoenix
12.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Phoenix
27.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Carrollton & Phoenix