Phoenix AZ vs West Valley City UT — 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 Valley City, UT
Utah · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$473,364
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Phoenix
53.7%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
West Valley City
$60,713
West Valley City +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | West Valley City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
West Valley City
$473,364
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $473,364 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
West Valley City
245
West Valley City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
West Valley City
1931
West Valley City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 245 | West Valley City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1931 | West Valley City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
West Valley City
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
West Valley City
10.6%
West Valley City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
West Valley City
10.8%
West Valley City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 33.5% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.6% | West Valley City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.5% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 19.8% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | West Valley City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.8% | West Valley City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | 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
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
West Valley City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | West Valley City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. West Valley City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 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