Phoenix, AZ vs Ruston, LA
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.
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 26.7 min). Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1514) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 1,650,070 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $408,770 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $65,891 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 25 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 11.7 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | R+25.4 |
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 →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →