Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 62.6% | 53.7% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.9% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Phoenix
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $77,041 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $40,309 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.1% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 14.3% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 32.3% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 57.1% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Phoenix
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Phoenix
2150
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 32.3% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.8% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 16.2% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.3% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.2% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 27.7 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
Compare More Cities
Chandler, AZ vs New York, NYChandler, AZ vs Los Angeles, CAChandler, AZ vs Chicago, ILChandler, AZ vs Houston, TXChandler, AZ vs Philadelphia, PAChandler, AZ vs San Antonio, TX