City Comparison
Tempe vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Peoria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Tempe.
| Metric | Tempe | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,817 | +7% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,737 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 6% higher 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 Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Tempe | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.10000000000001°F of each other.
| Metric | Tempe | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 322 |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Peoria.
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 | Tempe | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Tempe.
From a growth perspective, Peoria 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 | Tempe | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
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
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