Tampa FL 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 186,419 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 13.9% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 21.3% | 7.8% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 23.1% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $42,371 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 16.2% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $468,328 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 41.6% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Tempe
71.3°F
Tempe +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 71.3°F | Tempe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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