Tempe AZ vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 102,558 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 33.0 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 7.8% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.7% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 22.4% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $58,568 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $31,987 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 17.4% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 25.0% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 35.4% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.6% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.9% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.9% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 28.9 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tempe, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Tempe, AZChicago, IL vs Tempe, AZHouston, TX vs Tempe, AZPhoenix, AZ vs Tempe, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Tempe, AZ