Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 19.0% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 0.6% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 3.9% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 41.8% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 32.3% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.3% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
31.6 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
Compare More Cities
Escondido, CA vs New York, NYEscondido, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Escondido, CAEscondido, CA vs Houston, TXEscondido, CA vs Philadelphia, PAEscondido, CA vs San Antonio, TX