Phoenix, AZ vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 41). Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 181). Washington leads in median household income ($101,722 vs $65,891).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1514) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 1,650,070 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $408,770 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $65,891 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 98 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 25.4 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | D+86.1 |
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 →
D
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →