New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Tempe
13.9%
White
New York
35.9%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 186,419 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 13.9% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 22.7% | 7.8% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 9.5% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 23.1% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $77,643 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $42,371 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 27.2% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.6% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.3% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 71.3°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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