City Comparison
Buckeye vs Tempe
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Tempe
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tempe is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Buckeye.
| Metric | Buckeye | Tempe | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,939 | +1% |
| Groceries | $450 | $440 | +2% |
| Utilities | $210 | $195 | +8% |
| Transport | $150 | $115 | +30% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,929 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tempe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $62,000 in Tempe.
| Metric | Buckeye | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 72,381 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $79,663 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.59999999999999°F of each other.
| Metric | Buckeye | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | 76.30°F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | 106.60°F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | 47.50°F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | 15.40 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 327 |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 31.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Buckeye.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tempe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 190,571 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 0.53% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 30.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.60% |
| 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
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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