Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Miami
34.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 186,419 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 13.9% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 13.7% | 7.8% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 23.1% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $42,371 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.6% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Tempe
71.3°F
Tempe +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 71.3°F | Tempe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 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, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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