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Compare Cost of Living

Select two U.S. metro areas to compare their Regional Price Parity (RPP) indices for goods, services, and housing, plus salary equivalents.

Los Angeles vs Phoenix

Phoenix is 9.0% less expensive than Los Angeles. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities, national average = 100.

Metro A
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
113.6
Overall RPP
106.6
Goods
158.6
Services
170.4
Rents
Metro B
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
103.3
Overall RPP
95.0
Goods
93.3
Services
121.2
Rents

Category Breakdown

Category Los Angeles Phoenix Diff (B−A)
Overall Cost 113.6 103.3 -10.3
Goods 106.6 95.0 -11.6
Services 158.6 93.3 -65.3
Rents/Housing 170.4 121.2 -49.2

Visual Comparison

Overall Cost Lower than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
113.6
Phoenix
103.3
Goods Lower than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
106.6
Phoenix
95.0
Services Lower than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
158.6
Phoenix
93.3
Rents/Housing Lower than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
170.4
Phoenix
121.2

Vertical marker = national average (100)

Salary Equivalents

What you would need to earn in Phoenix to match your purchasing power in Los Angeles:

Salary in Los Angeles Equivalent in Phoenix Difference
$50,000 $45,487 $4,513
$75,000 $68,231 $6,769
$100,000 $90,974 $9,026
$150,000 $136,462 $13,538

Use the salary calculator for custom amounts and reverse direction.

Metro Context

Metric Los Angeles Phoenix
Population 13,012,469 4,941,206
Median Household Income $93,525 $84,703
Data Year 2024 2024
State CA AZ

Key Differences

Overall Cost: Los Angeles is 10.3 points cheaper than Phoenix (113.6 vs 103.3).

Goods: Los Angeles is 11.6 points cheaper than Phoenix (106.6 vs 95.0).

Services: Los Angeles is 65.3 points cheaper than Phoenix (158.6 vs 93.3).

Rents/Housing: Los Angeles is 49.2 points cheaper than Phoenix (170.4 vs 121.2).

⇆ Reverse comparison Los Angeles details → Phoenix details →

Also Compare Los Angeles With

vs New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington vs Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria vs Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix more expensive than Los Angeles? ▼
Phoenix is 9.0% less expensive than Los Angeles. The overall cost index is 103.3 vs 113.6 (national average = 100).
What salary in Phoenix is equivalent to $100K in Los Angeles? ▼
A $100,000 salary in Los Angeles has the same purchasing power as $90,974 in Phoenix, based on BEA Regional Price Parity data.
How do housing costs compare between Los Angeles and Phoenix? ▼
Housing/rents in Los Angeles are indexed at 170.4 while Phoenix is at 121.2 (national average = 100). Los Angeles has higher housing costs.
Which is larger - Los Angeles or Phoenix? ▼
Los Angeles is larger by population. Los Angeles has 13,012,469 residents vs 4,941,206 in Phoenix.

Explore More Data

Salary Calculator → Cost Rankings → All Metros → Rent Data → Salary Data → Relocation Guide →

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by Metropolitan Statistical Area Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by Metropolitan Statistical Area Index where U.S. average = 100