Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
1,624,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 1,624,832 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 19.0% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 8.5% | 7.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 41.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $77,041 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $40,309 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 32.3% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 32.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 72.1°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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