Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 186,419 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 13.9% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 39.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $468,328 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 41.6% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2150 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 71.3°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX