Kinston, NC 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.
Kinston
73.2
#774 nationally
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $35,653). Kinston leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 26.7 min). Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 31).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Kinston, NC | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#774) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 19,411 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $147,755 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $35,653 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 26.3 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.8 | R+3.5 |
C
73.2 Score
Kinston, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$147,755
Population
19,411
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
31
Southeast
View Kinston, NC →
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 →