Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Renton
48.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 13.7% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 2.2% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 3.1% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $54,546 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $31,152 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.4% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 18.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 30.2% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 33.5% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.3% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.7% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.5% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 69.8°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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