Gresham OR vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gresham
112,818
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 13.7% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 58.2% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.1% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $54,546 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $31,152 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.4% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 18.8% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 51.7% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 33.5% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.7% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tucson 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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