Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 13.9% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 60.1% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 41.6% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 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, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Gresham, OR vs New York, NYGresham, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gresham, ORGresham, OR vs Houston, TXGresham, OR vs Phoenix, AZGresham, OR vs Philadelphia, PA