City comparison
Phoenix vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Phoenix (113.5) and Seattle (137.2).
Phoenix Index
113.5
Seattle Index
137.2
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Phoenix to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$110,002
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Phoenix and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Phoenix | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 136 | 184 | +48.0 (+35.3%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 118 | +17.0 (+16.8%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 113 | +10.0 (+9.7%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 109 | +11.0 (+11.2%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 103 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 116 | +15.0 (+14.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,160 / $6,410
Phoenix / Seattle
Couple
$8,570 / $10,640
Phoenix / Seattle
Family
$12,070 / $15,000
Phoenix / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.