Phoenix AZ vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 119,508 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 40.2 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 53.7% | 44.0% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.5% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 24.6% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $69,261 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.4% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.8% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 50.2% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
West Palm Beach
16.9%
West Palm Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.7% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.4% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 75.4°F | Phoenix + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 62.3 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, 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
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach 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, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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