City comparison
Washington vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Phoenix (113.5).
Washington Index
142.9
Phoenix Index
113.5
Washington Rent
$3,800
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Washington Home price
$705,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$94,517
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 136 | -65.0 (-32.3%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 101 | -16.0 (-13.7%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 103 | -6.0 (-5.5%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 98 | -13.0 (-11.7%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 108 | +4.0 (+3.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 101 | -17.0 (-14.4%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $5,160
Washington / Phoenix
Couple
$11,160 / $8,570
Washington / Phoenix
Family
$15,720 / $12,070
Washington / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.