Philadelphia vs Phoenix
Philadelphia leads Phoenix by 3 points on the TRAIL Index, 66 to 63. Philadelphia grades better on 7 measures, Phoenix on 5; the same 37 measures from public sources for both.
Scores by each organisation's criteria
- TRAIL Index: Philadelphia 66, Phoenix 63
- OECD: Philadelphia 66, Phoenix 61
- UN Tourism: Philadelphia 72, Phoenix 67
- UNDRR: Philadelphia 57, Phoenix 57
Theme by theme
- Demand and seasonality: Philadelphia 60, Phoenix 70
- Economy and jobs: Philadelphia 94, Phoenix 75
- Climate and hazards: Philadelphia 50, Phoenix 25
- Water and environment: Philadelphia 69, Phoenix 58
- Community and housing: Philadelphia 58, Phoenix 88
- Access and continuity: Philadelphia 75, Phoenix 75
Where Philadelphia is stronger
- Jobs in tourism industries: 6.3 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or below 8: grade 4/4.
- Economic diversity: 74.2 % of employment outside accommodation, food, retail and transport (metro figure) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics / Philadelphia International Airport (PHL.org), 2025). Between 72 and 80: grade 3/4.
- Extreme heat days: 7 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 5 and 15: grade 3/4.
- Tropical nights: 51.6 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 30 and 60: grade 2/4.
- Water scarcity: low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 3/4.
- Green space: 20 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (City of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Lab (Philadelphia Tree Canopy Assessment), 2018). Between 20 and 30: grade 2/4.
- Access redundancy: 4 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (PhilaPort and City of Philadelphia, 2026). At or above 4: grade 4/4.
Where Phoenix is stronger
- Wastewater safely treated: 98 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (City of Phoenix Water Services Department via 12News, 2024). At or above 95: grade 4/4.
- Rent growth: -2.9 % change in rents over the last 12 months (Apartment List, Phoenix, AZ Rent Report (October 2026), October 2025 – September 2026). At or below 3: grade 4/4.
- Short-let density: 0.9 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (AirROI Phoenix Market Report & U.S. Census Bureau ACS Estimates, 2024–2026). Between 0.5 and 1: grade 3/4.
- Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (City of Phoenix Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, 2026). Grade 4/4.
- Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source partly ring-fenced for residents, infrastructure or sustainability (City of Phoenix Finance Department, 2025–2026). Grade 3/4.
Country context (World Economic Forum)
- United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
- United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
Philadelphia in full · Phoenix in full
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