Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 186,419 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 13.9% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 8.5% | 7.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 9.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 23.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $77,643 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $42,371 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 18.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 71.3°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. 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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