Phoenix, AZ vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026

Phoenix, AZ vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria side by side

Metric Phoenix, AZ Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Alpha Score3225
Price Momentum4150
Inventory Health341
Affordability2115
Economic Strength2340
Rental Yield4626
Median Sale Price$469K
Price-to-Income5.54.5
Payment-to-Income32.9%27.4%
Months of Supply4
Gross Rental Yield4.0%4.3%
Overvaluation Index8020

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Phoenix, AZ and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 21/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 15/100.
  • Price Momentum: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — Phoenix, AZ 41/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 50/100.
  • Inventory Health: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 34/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 1/100.
  • Economic Strength: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — Phoenix, AZ 23/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 40/100.
  • Rental Yield: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 46/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 26/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Phoenix, AZ or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Phoenix, AZ scores higher — 32 vs 25 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Phoenix, AZ or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria more affordable?

Phoenix, AZ is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.5 in Phoenix, AZ and 4.5 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria.

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Phoenix, AZ or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has stronger price momentum — 50/100 vs 41/100.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Phoenix, AZ market brief and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria brief.