Chandler AZ vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chandler
278,123
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Washington
13.3%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 13.3% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 39.1% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.1% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 11.6% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.5% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 14.5% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $580,173 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 41.1% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 14.6% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 24.0% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.8 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Washington 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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