Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 67.7% | 53.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.9% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 14.3% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 32.3% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.3% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 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, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. 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, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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