Tempe, Arizona is a mid-sized city with a population of 174,708 residents. In Tempe, there are 4,370 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 70% of Tempe residents are White, 8% Asian and 6% Black. The median age of all Tempe residents is 29, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Tempe could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Arizona if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Tempe and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Tempe to Arizona and the national average.
Tempe has a livability score of 78 out of 100 and is ranked #7 in Arizona and #1,807 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Tempe ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Tempe has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the grades for each individual category, Tempe has received high marks for employment (B-) and housing (A). Tempe does not fare well for the following: crime (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, shops, etc., Tempe has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. If you’re planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, it’s nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Tempe: Mill Avenue District, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and Arizona Mills Mall.
For individuals considering a relocation, job opportunities often take center stage as a crucial factor. Your chances of finding new employment in Tempe is actually far better than most areas. With a low unemployment rate of 1.36%, you are likely to see an increase of job options, higher wages, improved workforce productivity and higher economic growth.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Tempe has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Tempe is actually affordable. The median home price for Tempe homes is $219,900, which is 24.3% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Tempe, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 25.7% higher than the Arizona average.
| Statistic | Tempe | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 72.3% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.4% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 5.0% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 4.0% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.3% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.3% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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