Sacramento CA vs Tempe AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 186,419 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.9% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 12.4% | 7.8% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 9.5% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 23.1% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $77,643 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 16.2% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 41.6% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.7% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 71.3°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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