Tempe AZ vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 68,141 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 42.1 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 60.1% | 17.9% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 5.3% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 19.3% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Vallejo
45.3%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 45.3% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $523,551 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Vallejo
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Vallejo
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 31.6% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.3% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.9% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.0% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 36.0 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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