Phoenix AZ vs Temecula CA — 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Temecula
16.6%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 110,404 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.3 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 16.6% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 7.8% | 4.3% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 28.5% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Temecula
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $769,756 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Temecula
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Temecula
2388
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Temecula
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Temecula
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 33.0% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.6% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.9% | Temecula + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | 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 +
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 38.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Temecula. 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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