Cheyenne WY vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cheyenne
58,754
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 89.9% | 58.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $54,546 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $31,152 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $59,120 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 18.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 51.7% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 450 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2150 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 69.8°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 23.9 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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