Peoria AZ 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)
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
42.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Peoria
11.3%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Peoria
3.4%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Peoria
5.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Peoria
19.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 186,419 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 72.6% | 60.1% | Peoria + |
| Black | 3.4% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
35.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,403 | $77,643 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,831 | $42,371 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.7% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$488,428
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,428 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.5% | 41.6% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
450
Tempe
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
2150
Tempe
2150
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
29.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.6% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.7% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.3% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
31.2 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Peoria, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Peoria, AZChicago, IL vs Peoria, AZHouston, TX vs Peoria, AZPeoria, AZ vs Phoenix, AZPeoria, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA