City Comparison
Peoria vs Phoenix
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Peoria
Phoenix
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Peoria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Phoenix.
Housing costs are a major driver: Peoria's average rent is
22% higher than Phoenix's.
| Metric | Peoria | Phoenix | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,817 | $1,492 | +22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $426 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $391 | -54% |
| Transport | $120 | $64 | +88% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $380 | -42% |
| Monthly Total | $2,737 | $2,753 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Peoria offers 46% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Peoria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Peoria is estimated at
$60,000 vs $52,974 in Phoenix.
| Metric | Peoria | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $49,356 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,974 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,903 idx | 47,006 idx |
| Household Income | $95,815 | $81,332 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 322 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Peoria sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Peoria | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 14.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Peoria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Peoria | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 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 Peoria.
From a growth perspective, Peoria 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 | Peoria | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,881 | 1,677,947 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | 0.75% |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
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.
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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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