Phoenix, Arizona
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Phoenix.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Phoenix?
For relocators asking how much Phoenix costs: the housing index sits at 117 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $381,900 and rents near $1,458. Local median income is about $77,041 and unemployment recently ran 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 26 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 698.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 117U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $381,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,458U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $77,041U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 26 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 698.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 105°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Phoenix compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 1,673,164City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $77,041Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 117ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $381,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,458City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year8% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 26 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 419% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 698.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)19% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3314.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)7% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 105°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals18.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 47°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 7.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals78% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 332As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals24% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Phoenix grew 15.5% from 1,449,038 in 2010 to 1,673,164 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Phoenix expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Phoenix's housing cost index is 117 versus 100 nationally — above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($381,900 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,458 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 117 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $381,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,458 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Phoenix?
Typical ownership costs center near $381,900, while median gross rent is about $1,458 a month. Against a median household income of $77,041, rent alone is roughly 23% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $381,900
- Median rent $1,458/month
- Median household income $77,041
What is the job market like in Phoenix?
County unemployment recently ran 4.7% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Phoenix is about $77,041 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $77,041
How long is the typical commute in Phoenix?
Average one-way commute time is about 26 minutes, with Walk Score near 41/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 26 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 41/100
Is Phoenix safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 698.9 per 100k and property about 3314.6 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 698.9 per 100k
- Property 3314.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Phoenix?
Normals show summer highs near 105°F, winter lows near 47°F, about 7.2 inches of rain, and roughly 332 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 105°F
- Winter low 47°F
- 7.2 in rain · 332 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in Phoenix?
Newcomers often start with Downtown, Arcadia, Roosevelt Row — tour at commute hour before signing. Neighborhood lists are curated research starting points, not rankings.
- Downtown
- Arcadia
- Roosevelt Row
What nearby city comparisons involve Phoenix?
These curated pair pages put Phoenix beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
Phoenix, Arizona counts about 1,673,164 residents inside the city limits. Households here report a median income near $77,041; our housing-derived cost index is about 117 (above the national housing-cost baseline). A typical home near $381,900 and rents around $1,458 frame most shortlists.
Desert heat and monsoon bursts define the outdoor calendar. Summer highs near 105°F make shade, pools, and strong A/C practical necessities. Commutes average near 26 minutes one-way, with walkability near 41/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.7% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 698.9 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Ask locals about Downtown versus Arcadia — those two pockets illustrate how different daily life can feel inside the same city limits, with Roosevelt Row as a common third option. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Phoenix with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Downtown
- Arcadia
- Roosevelt Row
- Melrose
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Phoenix city, 1600000US0455000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Maricopa County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023183 PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10