El Centro, CA vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
El Centro
70
#1141 nationally
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
El Centro leads in walk score (51 vs 41). El Centro leads in average commute (21.6 min vs 26.7 min). Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $54,922).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Centro, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70 (#1141) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 43,772 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $396,150 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $54,922 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 21.6 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 9.0 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+0.9 | R+3.5 |
C-
70 Score
El Centro, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$396,150
Population
43,772
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View El Centro, CA →
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →