Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 543,348 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 13.7% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 39.9% | 5.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $54,546 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $31,152 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 30.2% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $324,946 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 51.7% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 69.8°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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