Escondido CA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Escondido
107,066
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 13.9% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 0.6% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 9.5% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 23.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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