

Phoenix, AZ vs San Jose, CA
Phoenix, AZ comes out ahead of San Jose, CA on 26 of 45 statistics where one end is better, to 19. San Jose, CA leads on Crime & Safety and Economics.
45 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 26
- Avg. percentile
- 49
- Categories led
- 0
- Wins
- 19
- Avg. percentile
- 47
- Categories led
- 2
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Phoenix, AZ | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,677,947 5th of 477 | 984,378 13th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $81,332 158th of 434 | $146,427 37th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $420,700 287th of 434 | $1.23M 408th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 13.7% 199th of 434 | 8.12% 76th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 103.3 tied 321st of 460 | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $69,630 tied 156th of 460 | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,582 277th of 434 | $2,669 407th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 694.5 315th of 395 | 503.4 261st of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetySan Jose, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsSan Jose, CA · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Phoenix, AZ | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.0 tied 97th of 460 | 105.2 tied 374th of 460 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 91.4% 230th of 434 | 95.4% 65th of 434 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 7.5 294th of 395 | 2.4 149th of 395 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $51,380 tied 165th of 460 | $84,050 tied 1st of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $69,630 tied 156th of 460 | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,582 277th of 434 | $2,669 407th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 13.7% 199th of 434 | 8.12% 76th of 434 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 121.2 tied 319th of 460 | 211.9 tied last of 460 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 93.3 tied 268th of 460 | 156.7 tied 401st of 460 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 33.6% 225th of 434 | 47.3% 103rd of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $81,332 158th of 434 | $146,427 37th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $420,700 287th of 434 | $1.23M 408th of 434 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 104.0 tied 397th of 460 | 100.3 tied 309th of 460 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 103.3 tied 321st of 460 | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 694.5 315th of 395 | 503.4 261st of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 265.8 240th of 395 | 336.8 292nd of 395 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,029.7 223rd of 395 | 2,372.1 266th of 395 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 350.3 305th of 395 | 518.2 347th of 395 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 25.6 301st of 434 | 27.3 337th of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Phoenix, AZ or San Jose, CA?
- Phoenix, AZ comes out ahead of San Jose, CA on 26 of 45 statistics where one end is better, to 19. San Jose, CA leads on Crime & Safety and Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Phoenix, AZ or San Jose, CA?
- Phoenix, AZ has a population of 1,677,947 (5th of 477 US cities) and San Jose, CA has 984,378 (13th of 477).
- How do Phoenix, AZ and San Jose, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Phoenix, AZ $81,332 (158th of 434), San Jose, CA $146,427 (37th of 434) among US cities. San Jose, CA ranks better.
- How do Phoenix, AZ and San Jose, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Phoenix, AZ $420,700 (287th of 434), San Jose, CA $1.23M (408th of 434) among US cities. Phoenix, AZ ranks better.
- Where does Phoenix, AZ beat San Jose, CA most clearly?
- Phoenix, AZ ranks far ahead on Price Level (Goods) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 95.0 vs 105.2; Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $1,582 vs $2,669; Price Level (Housing Rents) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 121.2 vs 211.9.
- Where does San Jose, CA beat Phoenix, AZ most clearly?
- San Jose, CA ranks far ahead on Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 95.4% vs 91.4%; Murder Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 2.4 vs 7.5; Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $84,050 vs $51,380.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Phoenix, AZ or San Jose, CA.
- Atlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZ
- Aurora, CO vs Phoenix, AZ
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- Anaheim, CA vs San Jose, CA
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- Chicago, IL vs San Jose, CA
- Columbus, OH vs San Jose, CA
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