Orem UT vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Orem
86,973
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.6 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 77.1% | 58.2% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $54,546 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $31,152 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.4% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 18.8% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 51.7% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 450 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2150 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 33.5% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.3% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.7% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 69.8°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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