Phoenix AZ vs Plymouth MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 79,526 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 40.7 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 13.6% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 7.8% | 5.0% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 4.7% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $514,358 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.5% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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