Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 19.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 53.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $77,041 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $40,309 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 14.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 57.1% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 32.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.2% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 72.1°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 10.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 27.7 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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