Chandler AZ vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chandler
278,123
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 13.6% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 53.8% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.7% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 12.7% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $82,424 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $49,948 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.5% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 51.2% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Raleigh
9.1%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 30.9% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.1% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 16.6% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.5% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler 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%.
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