Tempe AZ vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 119,508 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 40.2 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 60.1% | 44.0% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $69,261 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 37.6% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 29.1% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.7% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.9% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.0% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 75.4°F | Tempe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 62.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.0 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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