City comparison
Phoenix vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Phoenix (113.5) and Washington (142.9).
Phoenix Index
113.5
Washington Index
142.9
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Washington Rent
$3,800
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Phoenix to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$114,572
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Phoenix and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Phoenix | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 136 | 201 | +65.0 (+47.8%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 117 | +16.0 (+15.8%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 109 | +6.0 (+5.8%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 111 | +13.0 (+13.3%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 104 | -4.0 (-3.7%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 118 | +17.0 (+16.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,160 / $6,720
Phoenix / Washington
Couple
$8,570 / $11,160
Phoenix / Washington
Family
$12,070 / $15,720
Phoenix / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.