Austin, TX vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $65,891). Austin leads in school rating (7.2 vs 5.8). Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 129).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 967,862 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | R+3.5 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →