Phoenix AZ vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Washington
13.3%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 672,079 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.9 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 13.3% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 39.1% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 11.6% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.5% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $580,173 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 41.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 24.0% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 32.8 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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