City-to-city comparison

Los Angeles vs Phoenix Cost of Living

Compare equivalent salary, rent, housing, and regional price indexes before moving from Los Angeles, California to Phoenix, Arizona.

Quick answer

Phoenix is 27.0% cheaper than Los Angeles. A $100,000 salary in Los Angeles needs about $73,000 in Phoenix to keep similar buying power.

Base salary
$100,000
Equivalent in Phoenix
$73,000
Difference
-27.0%
Metric
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Cost of living index
148.0
108.0
2-bedroom rent
$3,200/mo
$1,580/mo
Median home price
$950,000
$460,000
Median income
$69,778
$77,041

Moving to Phoenix

Phoenix's index is 108.0 versus 148.0 in Los Angeles. Adjust salary for rent, transportation, state taxes, and health insurance before accepting an offer.

Next step

Use the full calculator to test your salary, household size, and target city in more detail.

Open calculator
Los AngelesView local cost detailsPhoenixView local cost detailsPhoenix rentCompare your rent budget

Frequently asked questions

Is Phoenix more expensive than Los Angeles?

Phoenix is 27.0% cheaper than Los Angeles. The comparison uses regional price indexes where 100 equals the national average, plus local rent, housing, and income data.

What salary in Phoenix equals $100,000 in Los Angeles?

Using these indexes, $100,000 in Los Angeles is roughly equivalent to $73,000 in Phoenix.

What should I check before moving from Los Angeles to Phoenix?

Compare real neighborhood rent, state taxes, commuting, childcare, health insurance, and job stability. The index is a baseline, not a precise household budget.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

Help us improve

Was this calculator helpful?

How These Results Are Calculated

Each calculator uses standard financial formulas and explicit assumptions to generate educational estimates. Results are based on your inputs and may vary based on rates, taxes, fees, and local market conditions.

  • Public data sources include the IRS, BLS, Census, Federal Reserve, and state agencies.
  • Calculators are reviewed periodically to reflect market and tax-rule changes.
  • These results do not replace personalized professional advice.
GA
Reviewed by the Founder of GetAffordably

This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the founder of GetAffordably. Financial data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Reserve, IRS, and other public records, and is verified periodically.

Last updated: May 2026