Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 186,419 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 13.9% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 60.1% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 9.5% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $77,643 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $42,371 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.7% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 16.2% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 41.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Tempe
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Tempe
2150
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 16.6% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tempe, 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
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe 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 Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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