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Tempe

Arizona · Phoenix Metro
Strong DanceWarmMid Cost
75
/ 100 match score

Tempe is the college city of the Phoenix metro — home to Arizona State University, the largest university in the US by enrollment. More urban and walkable than suburban Phoenix. Crime rate is for city overall; family neighborhoods near ASU are safer.

Match Score Breakdown
Cost of Living
13/20
Family Safety
16/20
State Tax Burden
8/10
Healthcare Quality
13/20
Dance Training
9/12
Musical Theater
6/8
Career / Remote
10/10
Financial Snapshot at $360K Income
State income tax
2.5%
$9,000/yr
Est. after-tax income
$258,175
incl. FICA + federal
Annual living costs
$84,000
$66,000–$102,000 range
Annual surplus
+$174,175
King: 3.1×
Rent: 3BR family home
$2,000–$3,200/mo
Median SFH purchase price
$480,000
Dance Training
ASU Gammage Auditorium is one of the top Broadway touring venues in the US — a Frank Lloyd Wright design that receives pre-Broadway tryout productions. ASU dance department is nationally ranked.
Healthcare
Dignity Health St. Luke's Medical Center. Banner Health and Honor Health system accessible. Mayo Clinic Scottsdale 20 min.
Career & Remote Work
AZ flat income tax 2.5%. ASU and its research ecosystem create significant tech employment. State Farm, JPMorgan Chase operations. Silicon Desert accessible. Very walkable for a Phoenix suburb.
Musical Theater
Strong
Tempe Union High School District has strong performing arts programs. ASU has educational youth outreach programs through its theatre department. The East Valley studio corridor — Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert — is the densest cluster of competition-active MT studios in Arizona. Active Arizona competition circuit with strong East Valley representation. Good BFA pipeline from this area. ASU's theatre programs create a professional instruction community accessible to serious students.
Safety
Violent crime rate:180 per 100KSafe (suburbs)

US national average: ~370/100K. Lower suburbs are typically 50–80% safer than city-wide averages shown.

Pros
  • +AZ income tax only 2.5%
  • +ASU Gammage — one of best Broadway touring venues in West
  • +Most walkable city in Phoenix metro
  • +ASU dance department (nationally ranked)
  • +Excellent tech and corporate job market
Cons
  • −Crime rate higher than other Phoenix suburbs
  • −Extreme summer heat
  • −Car still needed outside Tempe core
  • −College-town character
  • −Water scarcity
Quick Stats
School rating
8/10
Healthcare rating
8/10
Tech job market
excellent
Remote friendly
Yes

Financial estimates assume $360K gross income: FICA 7.65% + rough federal bracket + state rate shown. Does not include city income taxes, municipal taxes, or deductions. Actual tax liability varies. Consult a CPA.