Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Tucson, AZ
🏆 Carrollton leads 12 of 22 categories
Carrollton
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Tucson
Arizona
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,049
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High
Population
541,033 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $43,331 more per year on average
77% less violent crime than Tucson
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 94°F vs 100°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Tucson
Tucson, AZ
Pros
Rent averages $564/mo less ($991 vs $1,555)
Homes cost $109k less ($218,200 vs $327,300)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.3)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 56°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $43,331/yr
Violent crime (588.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3313.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.5% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$43,331
$95,380 vs $52,049/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
77% lower
137.1 vs 588.8 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.5% unemployment
Tucson
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 94.3 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Tucson
Median Home Value
$109k less
$218,200 vs $327,300
Tucson
Summer Heat
5.9°F warmer
July avg high 100.2°F vs 94.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 94.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $218,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $991 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $52,049 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 86.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Tucson Unified District (4403) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F | 66.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F | 100.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 12.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 541,033 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 20.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 15.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Tucson's 94.3 (US average = 100).
Tucson is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 12 of 22 categories. Carrollton wins 12 and Tucson wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Tucson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $218,200 median home), income ($95,380 vs $52,049), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Tucson, AZ are about 815 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.