Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Phoenix, AZ
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Suffolk leads 13 of 23 categories
Phoenix
Arizona
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98 ✓ Safer
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 49°F
Cons
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Suffolk by $15,666/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Suffolk, VA
Pros
54% less violent crime than Phoenix
Households earn $15,666 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 104°F
Homes cost $26k less ($314,400 vs $340,200)
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 5.2%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Phoenix
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.3% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
17.2°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 86.8°F
Suffolk
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Suffolk
Median Income
$15,666
$87,758 vs $72,092/yr
Suffolk
Violent Crime
54% lower
371.0 vs 799.6 per 100k
Suffolk
Median Home Value
$26k less
$314,400 vs $340,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $340,200⚠ High | $314,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,322 ✓ Lower | $1,376⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,092 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.9% | 91.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer | 49.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.5" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 5.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.5% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Phoenix's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Suffolk is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Suffolk leads 13 of 23 categories. Phoenix wins 10 and Suffolk wins 13. 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 Phoenix to Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($340,200 vs $314,400 median home), income ($72,092 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Phoenix, AZ and Suffolk, VA are about 2,004 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.