City comparison
Seattle vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Phoenix (113.5).
Seattle Index
137.2
Phoenix Index
113.5
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$93,480
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 136 | -48.0 (-26.1%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 101 | -17.0 (-14.4%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 103 | -10.0 (-8.8%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 98 | -11.0 (-10.1%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 108 | +5.0 (+4.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 101 | -15.0 (-12.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $5,160
Seattle / Phoenix
Couple
$10,640 / $8,570
Seattle / Phoenix
Family
$15,000 / $12,070
Seattle / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.