San Diego 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Tempe
13.9%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 186,419 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 13.9% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 5.7% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 9.5% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 23.1% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $77,643 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $42,371 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 16.2% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 49.5% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 41.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 27.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.6% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.7% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.3% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 71.3°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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