City comparison
Austin vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Phoenix (113.5).
Austin Index
116.9
Phoenix Index
113.5
Austin Rent
$2,675
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Austin Home price
$484,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$91,266
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 136 | -10.0 (-6.8%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 101 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 103 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 98 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 108 | +10.0 (+10.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 101 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $5,160
Austin / Phoenix
Couple
$8,810 / $8,570
Austin / Phoenix
Family
$12,430 / $12,070
Austin / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.