Phoenix, AZ vs Wake Forest, NC
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.
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $65,891). Phoenix leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1514) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 1,650,070 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $408,770 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $65,891 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 20 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 4.0 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | D+25.6 |
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 →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →