Aug 5, 2026 - News
Unemployment ticks up
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Phoenix's unemployment rate edged higher in June while the national rate ticked down. The metro area's jobless rate rose to a seasonally adjusted 4.3%, new federal data shows.
Why it matters: Phoenix's unemployment rate — despite the shift — remains close to the national average. Nearly half of the cities and metro areas tracked in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report posted higher unemployment rates.
The big picture: The lowest rate was in Rapid City, South Dakota, which ticked just below 2%.
- The highest was Southern California's El Centro at just under 19%, while Visalia, California, also topped 10%.
The bottom line: A stable local employment picture can be welcome news, but it doesn't necessarily translate into relief for household budgets.