PhoenixWashington D.C.
City Stories Index · United States · 2026 edition

Phoenix vs Washington D.C.

Not opinions, measured walking data. On what we can measure, Washington D.C. leads 3–2. Character is a different question: Phoenix is the mural city; Washington D.C. is the planned capital.

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VS
  • Places with a story

    spots where a route tells you what happened there

    Phoenix

    21

    Washington D.C.

    63

    Washington D.C. leads

  • How often you pass a story

    metres from one story to the next; fewer is better

    Phoenix

    204

    Washington D.C.

    344

    Phoenix leads

  • Historical figures

    real people you meet in its stories

    Phoenix

    3

    Washington D.C.

    12

    Washington D.C. leads

  • Instagrammability

    score /100, on the index’s fixed scale

    Phoenix

    Washington D.C.

    33

    Washington D.C. leads

  • Group outings

    of every 100 plays, how many bring a group of 3+

    Phoenix

    27

    Washington D.C.

    25

    Phoenix leads

  • International visitors

    % of player reviews written in a foreign language

    Phoenix

    0

    Washington D.C.

    2

    Washington D.C. leads

Differences under 5% count as ties. Sample sizes and definitions on the methodology page.

What their stories are about

How many places with a story each city has per theme: Phoenix in orange, Washington D.C. in blue. All bars share one scale, so lengths are comparable everywhere on the chart.

PhoenixWashington D.C.
10 places
arts & culture
25 places
1 place
legends & myths
9 places
1 place
parks & leisure
8 places
6 places
faith & churches
4 places
4 places
industry & modern era
5 places

Phoenix scorecard →

The mural city

Washington D.C. scorecard →

The planned capital