Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Phoenix, AZ
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Phoenix leads 16 of 23 categories
Phoenix
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,092
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Vallejo
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,112 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
125,132
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $175k less ($340,200 vs $515,500)
Rent averages $572/mo less ($1,322 vs $1,894)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Vallejo
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Vallejo by $14,020/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Vallejo, CA
Pros
7% less violent crime than Phoenix
Households earn $14,020 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 104°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $515,500
Higher rents — median is $1,894/mo
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Phoenix
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Phoenix
Median Home Value
$175k less
$340,200 vs $515,500
Phoenix
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.0% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
18.6°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 85.4°F
Vallejo
Median Income
$14,020
$86,112 vs $72,092/yr
Vallejo
Violent Crime
7% lower
739.8 vs 799.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $340,200⚠ High ✓ Lower | $515,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,322 ✓ Lower | $1,894⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,092 | $86,112 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 195⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 83.9% | 87.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer | 57.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer | 85.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.5" ✓ Drier | 21.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger | 125,132 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 58.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.5% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 17.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Phoenix's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Phoenix is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Phoenix leads 16 of 23 categories. Phoenix wins 16 and Vallejo wins 7. 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 Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($340,200 vs $515,500 median home), income ($72,092 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Phoenix, AZ and Vallejo, CA are about 650 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.