City comparison
San Diego vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between San Diego (141.4) and Phoenix (113.5).
San Diego Index
141.4
Phoenix Index
113.5
San Diego Rent
$3,700
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
San Diego Home price
$738,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in San Diego to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$93,914
Based on the relative overall cost of living between San Diego and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | San Diego | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 194 | 136 | -58.0 (-29.9%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 101 | -21.0 (-17.2%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 103 | -6.0 (-5.5%) |
| Healthcare | 110 | 98 | -12.0 (-10.9%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 108 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 101 | -17.0 (-14.4%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,650 / $5,160
San Diego / Phoenix
Couple
$11,040 / $8,570
San Diego / Phoenix
Family
$15,560 / $12,070
San Diego / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View San Diego city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Diego.
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.