Mountain View, 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.

Mountain View

63.3

#1779 nationally

vs

Phoenix

66.7

#1514 nationally

Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 285). Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $65,891). Mountain View leads in walk score (66 vs 41).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Mountain View, CA Phoenix, AZ
WhereAtHome Score 63.3 (#1779) 66.7 (#1514)
Population 81,785 1,650,070
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $1,962,774 $408,770
Median Household Income $174,156 $65,891
Average Commute 24.2 min 26.7 min
Walk Score 66 41
Crime Level 8.4 Moderate-High
School Rating N/A 5.8
Cost of Living Index 285 106
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+40.0 R+3.5