Phoenix AZ vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 199,696 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 8.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 50.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 8.6% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $55,931 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $35,704 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 23.2% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 39.5% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 34.1% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.3% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 67.6°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 58.1 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | 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
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TX