Tempe AZ 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 34.6 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 13.7% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 58.2% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 5.0% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.1% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $54,546 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $31,152 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 18.8% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 30.2% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Tucson
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tucson
2150
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 33.5% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.5% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.5% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 12.2 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.9 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tucson 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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