Raleigh NC vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Raleigh
470,763
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 53.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 27.5% | 5.0% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 3.1% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $54,546 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $31,152 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.4% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 18.8% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 30.2% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 33.5% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.3% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 69.8°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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