Phoenix AZ vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 741,440 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.5 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 53.7% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 7.8% | 6.6% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 8.2% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $871,599 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 44.3% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 37.5 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 28.8 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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