City comparison
Los Angeles vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Phoenix (113.5).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Phoenix Index
113.5
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$95,539
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 136 | -72.0 (-34.6%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 101 | -22.0 (-17.9%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 103 | -15.0 (-12.7%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 98 | -13.0 (-11.7%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 108 | -1.0 (-0.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 101 | -20.0 (-16.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $5,160
Los Angeles / Phoenix
Couple
$11,740 / $8,570
Los Angeles / Phoenix
Family
$16,540 / $12,070
Los Angeles / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
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.