Tempe, Arizona
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Tempe.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Tempe?
For relocators asking how much Tempe costs: the housing index sits at 130 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $421,900 and rents near $1,623. Local median income is about $77,643 and unemployment recently ran 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 22 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 452.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 130U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $421,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,623U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $77,643U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 22 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 452.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 105°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Tempe 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
- 190,114City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $77,643Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 130ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year30% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $421,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year39% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,623City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% 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
- 22 min12% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5420% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 452.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)23% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3776.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)22% 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
Tempe grew 17.1% from 162,323 in 2010 to 190,114 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Tempe expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Tempe's housing cost index is 130 versus 100 nationally — above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($421,900 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,623 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 130 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $421,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,623 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Tempe?
Typical ownership costs center near $421,900, while median gross rent is about $1,623 a month. Against a median household income of $77,643, rent alone is roughly 25% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $421,900
- Median rent $1,623/month
- Median household income $77,643
What is the job market like in Tempe?
County unemployment recently ran 4.7% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Tempe is about $77,643 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $77,643
How long is the typical commute in Tempe?
Average one-way commute time is about 22 minutes, with Walk Score near 54/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 22 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 54/100
Is Tempe safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 452.4 per 100k and property about 3776.1 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 452.4 per 100k
- Property 3776.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Tempe?
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
Tempe (pop. 190,114) sits in Arizona. Households here report a median income near $77,643; our housing-derived cost index is about 130 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $421,900 push many newcomers toward renting first.
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 22 minutes one-way, with walkability near 54/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.7% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 452.4 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Tempe is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Tempe with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
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 (Tempe city, 1600000US0473000) — 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