City Comparison
Tempe vs Sierra Vista
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sierra Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Sierra Vista
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sierra Vista is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Tempe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
38% higher than Sierra Vista's.
| Metric | Tempe | Sierra Vista | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,320 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 23% 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 $48,000 in Sierra Vista.
| Metric | Tempe | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $70,291 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tempe runs warmer on average — a 10.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tempe comes out ahead with 12 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 | Tempe | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | 65.60°F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | 91.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 40.80°F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | 12.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 1.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 315 |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sierra Vista has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tempe.
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 | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 28.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 4.3x the population of Sierra Vista.
From a growth perspective, Tempe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sierra Vista has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tempe | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 44,710 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | — |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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