Tucson AZ vs Vancouver WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 192,696 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.5 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 13.6% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 5.0% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 17.2% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $510,577 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 49.9% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.2% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | 41.6 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 25.1 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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