City Comparison
Prescott vs Tempe
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Prescott scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Prescott
Tempe
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prescott is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Tempe.
| Metric | Prescott | Tempe | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,939 | -7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $440 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,929 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 24% 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 Prescott is estimated at
$52,000 vs $62,000 in Tempe.
| Metric | Prescott | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,769 idx | 72,381 idx |
| Household Income | $70,874 | $79,663 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tempe runs warmer on average — a 17.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tempe comes out ahead with 30 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Prescott sees 24 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Prescott | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | 76.30°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 106.60°F |
| Winter Low | 35.20°F | 47.50°F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | 15.40 in |
| Snowfall | 24.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | 327 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 31.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Prescott.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Prescott leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Prescott | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Prescott.
From a growth perspective, Prescott 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 | Prescott | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,945 | 190,571 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.53% |
| Median Age | 59.7 | 30.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prescott
Advantages
Median household income in Prescott stands at $70,874, reflecting solid middle-class economic stability per U.S. Census data.
Average rent hovers around $1,800 per month, offering competitive leasing options compared to major Arizona metros.
Prescott enjoys an exceptional climate featuring 297 sunny days per year and refreshing four-season mountain weather.
Abundant outdoor recreation assets include over 450 miles of trails and scenic lakes like Watson Lake.
Crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, ensuring a secure environment.
Drawbacks
Median property values have risen sharply to over $564,000, creating housing affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Local public transit infrastructure is limited, making vehicle ownership an absolute necessity for daily life.
The local economy relies heavily on seasonal tourism and hospitality, which can create employment fluctuation.
Average wages in several local sectors lag behind statewide and national compensation benchmarks.
Higher median age can limit certain types of fast-paced urban nightlife and entertainment venues.
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.
Prescott
#301Arizona, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
68
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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