Phoenix AZ vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 115,546 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.5 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 8.2% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 7.8% | 1.2% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 23.7% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $528,447 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 28.6 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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