Phoenix AZ vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 220,482 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.3 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 7.8% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 13.1% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $496,966 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 56.5% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 37.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.9% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.7% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 39.2 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 31.1 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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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