Corona 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Corona +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Corona
41.6%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 19.0% | Corona + |
| White | 41.6% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 3.9% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 41.8% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $77,041 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $40,309 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 14.3% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Corona +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 57.1% | Corona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Corona, 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
Corona
35.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.3% | Corona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.2% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Corona, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, 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
Corona
38.4 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, 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 Corona. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Corona, CA vs New York, NYCorona, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Corona, CACorona, CA vs Houston, TXCorona, CA vs Philadelphia, PACorona, CA vs San Antonio, TX