Tacoma WA 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 186,419 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 59.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 10.5% | 7.8% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $77,643 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $42,371 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.7% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.2% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 41.6% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.7% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.3% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 71.3°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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