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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.

Phoenix vs Los Angeles

Los Angeles is 9.9% more expensive than Phoenix. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities, national average = 100.

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

Category Breakdown

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

Visual Comparison

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

Vertical marker = national average (100)

Salary Equivalents

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

Salary in Phoenix Equivalent in Los Angeles Difference
$50,000 $54,961 +$4,961
$75,000 $82,441 +$7,441
$100,000 $109,921 +$9,921
$150,000 $164,882 +$14,882

Use the salary calculator for custom amounts and reverse direction.

Metro Context

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

Key Differences

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

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

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

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

⇆ Reverse comparison Phoenix details → Los Angeles details →

Also Compare Phoenix 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 Los Angeles more expensive than Phoenix? ▼
Los Angeles is 9.9% more expensive than Phoenix. The overall cost index is 113.6 vs 103.3 (national average = 100).
What salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $100K in Phoenix? ▼
A $100,000 salary in Phoenix has the same purchasing power as $109,921 in Los Angeles, based on BEA Regional Price Parity data.
How do housing costs compare between Phoenix and Los Angeles? ▼
Housing/rents in Phoenix are indexed at 121.2 while Los Angeles is at 170.4 (national average = 100). Los Angeles has higher housing costs.
Which is larger - Phoenix or Los Angeles? ▼
Los Angeles is larger by population. Phoenix has 4,941,206 residents vs 13,012,469 in Los Angeles.

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