City Comparison
Sierra Vista vs Phoenix
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sierra Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sierra Vista
Phoenix
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sierra Vista is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Phoenix.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Phoenix | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,410 | $1,492 | -5% |
| Groceries | $400 | $426 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $391 | -54% |
| Transport | $110 | $64 | +72% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $380 | -42% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $2,753 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sierra Vista offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sierra Vista delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sierra Vista is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,974 in Phoenix.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $49,356 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,974 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 47,006 idx |
| Household Income | $70,291 | $81,332 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sierra Vista runs warmer on average — a 65.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sierra Vista comes out ahead with 315 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sierra Vista sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 40.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 12.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 315 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 14.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sierra Vista has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Phoenix.
Phoenix scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sierra Vista leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Phoenix 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 | Sierra Vista | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,710 | 1,677,947 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.75% |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sierra Vista
Advantages
Median home prices in Sierra Vista remain roughly 15% below the national average per Zillow market data.
Average commute times of 17.5 minutes are significantly shorter than the U.S. average per Census Bureau data.
Exceptional access to pristine outdoor recreation, including the Huachuca Mountains and San Pedro Riparian area.
Strong economic stability driven by Fort Huachuca, anchoring defense and technology jobs.
Over 315 days of sunshine annually, paired with a comfortable high-elevation climate.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, requiring heavy air conditioning usage.
Limited public mass transit infrastructure creates a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Local wages in non-defense sectors can lag behind major metropolitan economic centers.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires lengthy drives for specialized entertainment or major flight hubs.
Local water resource management is an ongoing regional concern given the arid southern Arizona environment.
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.
Sierra Vista
#128Arizona, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
315/yr
Avg Temp
65.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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