Tucson 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Washington
13.3%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.9 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 13.3% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 39.1% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 11.6% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.5% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $580,173 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 41.1% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 24.0% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 32.8 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson 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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