Phoenix AZ vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 470,763 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 13.6% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 7.8% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 12.7% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $435,807 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 51.2% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.6% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 46.2 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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