Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 186,419 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 58.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 13.4% | 7.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 16.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $468,328 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 41.6% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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