Phoenix AZ vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 154,751 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 10.2% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 40.8% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.8% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $51,339 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $27,054 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.2% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 25.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 19.7% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 49.5% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 39.6% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.1% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.5% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | 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 +
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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