Tempe AZ vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tempe
186,419
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Washington
13.3%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 34.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 13.3% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 39.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 4.1% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 11.6% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.5% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $580,173 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 41.1% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 24.0% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.7% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 32.8 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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