Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 186,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 22.9% | 7.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 23.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $468,328 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 41.6% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. 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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