City Comparison
Buckeye vs Phoenix
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Phoenix
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phoenix is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Buckeye.
Housing costs are a major driver: Buckeye's average rent is
31% higher than Phoenix's.
| Metric | Buckeye | Phoenix | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,492 | +31% |
| Groceries | $450 | $426 | +6% |
| Utilities | $210 | $391 | -46% |
| Transport | $150 | $64 | +134% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $380 | -39% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,753 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buckeye offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buckeye delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $52,974 in Phoenix.
| Metric | Buckeye | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $49,356 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,974 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 47,006 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $81,332 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buckeye runs warmer on average — a 75.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buckeye comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buckeye sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buckeye | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 14.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Phoenix has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Phoenix scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buckeye leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Buckeye.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 1,677,947 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 0.75% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
Phoenix
Advantages
Phoenix's job market is projected to grow by 0.7% in 2026, outpacing many other regions.
The city ranks as the No. 7 most supportive city in the U.S. for small businesses as of April 2026.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix are 4% lower than the national average.
The average one-way commute time in Phoenix is 26 minutes, slightly less than the U.S. average.
Phoenix experiences abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days per year.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Phoenix is 5% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing expenses.
Phoenix's overall crime rate, while below the national average, still faces challenges with property crimes like auto theft.
The city has a low walkability score of 41, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Phoenix are extremely hot, with average July highs around 105°F.
Traffic congestion in Phoenix resulted in commuters losing 76 hours in 2024, higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
Phoenix
#438Arizona, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,492
Avg Salary
$49,356
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
41.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.75%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
68
Business
75
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