City Comparison
Tempe vs Phoenix
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tempe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Phoenix
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phoenix is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Tempe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
30% higher than Phoenix's.
| Metric | Tempe | Phoenix | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,492 | +30% |
| Groceries | $440 | $426 | +3% |
| Utilities | $195 | $391 | -50% |
| Transport | $115 | $64 | +80% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $380 | -37% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,753 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 54% 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 $52,974 in Phoenix.
| Metric | Tempe | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $49,356 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $52,974 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 47,006 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $81,332 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tempe runs warmer on average — a 76.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tempe comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tempe sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tempe | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 14.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Phoenix.
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 | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Tempe.
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 | Tempe | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 1,677,947 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.75% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.00% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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