Both Phoenix, Arizona and Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee have their unique characteristics, with Phoenix offering a sunny and hot desert setting and Nashville offering a vibrant music scene along with Southern traditions. They both have diverse economic sectors, but Phoenix relies more on tourism and the tech industry, while Nashville harbors a more diverse mix, including healthcare, music, and finance. The comparison between these two cities spans across various areas such as crime rates, cost of living, education, employment opportunities, infrastructure, and more.
Distance between
Phoenix, AZ and
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 1,442.7 miles
Phoenix's population is larger by 139%. Its population has grown by 303,524 people (23.0%) since 2000. The population of Nashville-Davidson has grown by 133,327 people (24.4%) during that time.
Phoenix, just like any large city, has pockets with higher crime rates, but overall, the city is relatively safe for residents and tourists, with crime rates falling over the past decade. On the other hand, Nashville-Davidson's crime rates are slightly higher than the national average, especially property crimes. Both cities have been implementing measures to improve safety, with increased policing and investment in community programs.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Phoenix is generally lower than Nashville-Davidson. Housing cost contributes significantly to this divide, with home prices and rental rates being lower in Phoenix. Nashville, however, has been witnessing a rapid increase in housing prices over the recent years due to its booming economy and growing popularity.
Income Tax
Phoenix residents pay Arizona state income tax, which ranges from 2.59% to 4.54%. Tennessee, where Nashville is located, does not have a state income tax, making it favorable for earning individuals.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Phoenix are relatively lower than those in Nashville-Davidson. The tax varies depending on the location and assessed value of the property.
Sales Tax
Phoenix has a slightly higher city sales tax of 8.6%, while the state sales tax in Nashville is 7%. Both cities do not have a state income tax, which is a perk for residents.
Income
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Estimated median household income
$68,435
$64,857
Estimated per capita income
$35,073
$42,268
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
101.2
90.9
If you make $50,000 in Nashville-Davidson, you will have to make $55,666 in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Phoenix sits in the Sonoran Desert offering breathtaking landscapes with mountains and cacti, while Nashville is located in the Central Basin of Tennessee with a blend of rolling hills and flat terrains.
Both Phoenix and Nashville-Davidson offer a mix of public, private, and charter schools. College-wise, Phoenix houses Arizona State University and the University of Phoenix, while Nashville, often called the "Athens of the South", is renowned for its educational institutions like Vanderbilt University and Belmont University. Education quality in both cities is closely linked to income levels and neighborhood.
Phoenix's economy is strong and fueled by a robust tourism sector, the tech industry, and the real estate market. Conversely, Nashville-Davidson boasts a diverse mix of industries including health care, music, finance, and higher education, making for a vibrant local economy.
Biggest Employers
In Phoenix, the largest employers include Banner Health, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. Meanwhile, Nashville's top employers comprise Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nissan North America, and HCA Healthcare.
There were 4,922 building permits issued in Phoenix in 2012 (3970 more than in 2011) compared to 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011).
In Phoenix (Maricopa County), 43.6% voted for Democrats and 54.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
2020
50.2%
65.0%
48.0%
32.6%
1.8%
2.3%
2016
44.9%
60.1%
47.7%
34.1%
7.5%
5.7%
2012
43.6%
58.5%
54.3%
39.9%
2.1%
1.6%
2008
44.0%
60.0%
54.5%
39.0%
1.5%
1.0%
2004
42.4%
54.9%
57.0%
44.6%
0.6%
0.4%
2000
43.0%
57.9%
53.4%
40.4%
3.6%
1.7%
1996
44.5%
79.3%
47.2%
18.1%
8.2%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
13.6%
4.9%
4.3%
2.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.9%
14.1%
6.5%
19.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.8%
0.2%
2.0%
0.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
1.5%
0.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
1.1%
2.0%
1.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.3%
1.5%
1.3%
1.8%
VINEYARD USA
0.3%
0.0%
0.6%
0.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.2%
0.8%
1.0%
1.4%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.1%
0.5%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.8%
0.4%
0.9%
Weather
As for weather, Phoenix is known for its extremely hot summers, with temperatures often reaching over 100°F, but the city enjoys mild and pleasant winters. Nashville, located in the humid subtropical zone, has a more varied climate with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. Nashville also experiences more rainfall throughout the year compared to Phoenix.
Weather and climate
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Temperature - Average
71.5°F
58.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
37.5%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
48%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
60%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
12%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
8.7 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
35.3%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
92.8%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
95%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
79%
42%
Wind speed - Average
6.6 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Phoenix, Arizona
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
2018
156
71
0.38
0.40
15.2
13.8
28.5
24.1
N/A
N/A
34.8
15.2
8.6
9.2
0.6
0.2
2017
120
70
0.41
0.38
15.9
14.4
28.6
26.8
N/A
N/A
34.9
15.3
7.6
8.7
1.4
0.1
2016
114
90
0.44
0.42
15.8
16.1
27.3
26.4
N/A
N/A
30.6
N/A
7.7
10.1
0.4
0.0
2015
102
68
0.46
0.43
17.6
15.5
27.1
23.6
N/A
N/A
26.2
N/A
7.9
10.8
0.9
0.1
2014
117
66
0.46
N/A
19.6
N/A
27.6
26.3
N/A
N/A
37.0
N/A
8.5
9.8
1.1
1.4
2013
130
62
0.43
N/A
19.9
N/A
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
35.3
N/A
8.4
9.7
0.9
N/A
2012
157
81
0.44
N/A
21.2
N/A
28.1
28.3
N/A
N/A
41.9
N/A
8.8
11.0
1.3
2.3
2011
203
81
0.47
N/A
20.0
N/A
28.3
25.9
N/A
N/A
41.3
N/A
9.6
11.0
0.9
1.7
2010
100
80
0.48
N/A
19.9
N/A
26.9
24.3
N/A
N/A
31.2
N/A
8.3
12.2
0.9
2.2
2009
108
72
0.52
N/A
20.1
N/A
25.6
22.5
N/A
N/A
38.2
N/A
N/A
11.5
1.8
2.4
2008
106
81
0.48
N/A
21.4
N/A
26.6
25.7
N/A
N/A
39.6
N/A
N/A
13.4
2.4
2.5
2007
129
99
0.54
N/A
23.5
N/A
25.2
27.4
N/A
N/A
47.6
N/A
N/A
15.5
2.4
2.7
2006
131
93
0.66
0.69
25.3
N/A
24.4
24.9
N/A
N/A
50.8
N/A
N/A
14.9
2.3
2.9
2005
109
104
0.74
0.56
25.9
N/A
22.2
23.5
N/A
N/A
44.6
N/A
N/A
16.9
2.5
3.1
2004
98
83
0.77
0.61
25.5
N/A
23.4
22.0
0.006
N/A
32.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2.6
2003
101
93
0.90
0.67
26.8
N/A
23.7
18.5
0.005
N/A
42.6
N/A
N/A
15.8
1.4
3.8
2002
111
92
0.98
0.67
28.7
N/A
23.6
20.2
N/A
N/A
41.8
N/A
N/A
15.3
1.6
4.3
2001
106
95
1.00
0.89
28.6
N/A
22.3
19.5
N/A
N/A
37.8
N/A
N/A
15.6
1.5
4.5
2000
117
97
1.14
0.74
29.9
N/A
24.6
19.8
N/A
N/A
45.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
18.3%
169.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
2,597.6%
296.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
17%
Transportation
Phoenix has a reliable public transportation system with a network of buses and a light rail system. Nashville's public transit also includes buses, but there's been substantial investment in improving and expanding the city's public transportation system.
Transport
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Amtrak stations
3
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
15
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Bicycle
0.4%
0.3%
Bus
1.8%
1.2%
Carpooled
12.2%
9.8%
Car alone
81.8%
85.5%
Motorcycle
0.4%
0.1%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.4%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Average
28.6 min
31.3 min
Other means
26.4 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
45.1 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.4%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
9.6%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
2%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
1.5%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.3%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Phoenix is generally more affordable than in Nashville, with a wide range of options from downtown apartments to suburban homes. Nashville's real estate market has been booming in the past years, with home prices seeing a significant increase.
Neighborhoods
Phoenix offers a variety of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyles, from the family-friendly Ahwatukee Foothills to bustling downtown Phoenix. In Nashville, you have the music-rich East Nashville, the upscale Green Hills, and the vibrant Gulch district, offering diverse options for residents and visitors alike.
Houses and residents
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
Houses
644,625
331,262
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.3
Median year apartment built
1987
1986
Median year house/condo built
1983
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.1 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
602,039 (93.4%)
305,247 (92.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
354,237 (58.8%)
162,426 (53.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
247,802 (41.2%)
142,821 (46.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,605
$1,391
Median monthly housing costs
$1,284
$1,291
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$375,817
$221,129
Estimated median house or condo value
$352,600
$346,700
Median numbers of rooms
5.2
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$452,968
$437,686
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$320,904
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$229,335
$319,119
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$299,875
$305,249
Median house price - mobile homes
$159,046
$133,346
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$300,398
$328,258
Median house price - All housing units
$429,075
$412,434
Median house age
36
35
Renting percentage
42.4%
44.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,357.5
699.9
House value disparities
30.8%
31%
Household income disparities
43.9%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$96,609
$93,092
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$63,626
$68,871
Housing units without a mortgage
3,634 (1.5%)
3,189 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
12,949 (5.2%)
10,988 (9.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
246,434 (98.5%)
110,850 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
624 (0.2%)
333 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,890 (6.8%)
13,192 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
8
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.7%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
One, detached
60.3%
50.9%
One, attached
4.9%
8.4%
Two
1.4%
3.3%
3 or 4
4.4%
3.1%
5 to 9
5.0%
7.1%
10 to 19
5.3%
8.7%
20 to 49
4.1%
5.3%
50 or more
11.3%
11.9%
Mobile homes
3.1%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
48,122
31,952
State government workers
30,385
15,693
Unpaid family workers
1,048
463
Industries and Occupations
Phoenix is recognized for its growing technology sector, attracting talent from around the nation. Nashville-Davidson benefits from a robust healthcare sector, with many residents working in this field. The music industry also significantly contributes to the city's economy and workforce.
Health care facilities in both cities are robust, offering specialized care and advanced treatments. Phoenix has renowned facilities like the Mayo Clinic, while Nashville is home to the prestigious Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities have invested considerably in their infrastructure. Phoenix offers efficient transportation and modern buildings, while Nashville's infrastructure is also progressively improving, evidenced by its expanding public transit system and ongoing construction projects.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Phoenix
Nashville-Davidson
1999
5,846
2,397
2000
4,847
1,451
2001
3,823
1,130
2002
3,472
1,075
2003
5,750
2,231
2004
9,848
2,731
2005
15,879
3,231
2006
18,392
3,720
2007
9,797
2,419
2008
3,130
952
2009
1,614
532
Culture and Food
Phoenix is influenced by Native American, Mexican culture, offering a unique blend of southwestern cuisine. Nashville, the capital of the country music world, offers a rich cultural scene — from live music to Southern cuisine and barbeque.
Sports Teams
Phoenix sports fans follow teams in all four major professional sports leagues, such as the NFL's Cardinals and the NBA's Suns. Nashville is home to the NFL's Titans and the NHL's Predators, boasting a robust sports culture.
Phoenix, AZ and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 1,442.7 miles
