City comparison
Boston vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Phoenix (113.5).
Boston Index
144.3
Phoenix Index
113.5
Boston Rent
$3,775
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Boston Home price
$722,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$94,387
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 136 | -62.0 (-31.3%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 101 | -21.0 (-17.2%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 103 | -11.0 (-9.6%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 98 | -15.0 (-13.3%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 108 | +2.0 (+1.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 101 | -20.0 (-16.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $5,160
Boston / Phoenix
Couple
$11,270 / $8,570
Boston / Phoenix
Family
$15,890 / $12,070
Boston / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
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.