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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 Philadelphia

Philadelphia is 0.7% less 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
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
102.6
Overall RPP
96.8
Goods
114.4
Services
113.1
Rents

Category Breakdown

Category Phoenix Philadelphia Diff (B−A)
Overall Cost 103.3 102.6 -0.8
Goods 95.0 96.8 +1.8
Services 93.3 114.4 +21.1
Rents/Housing 121.2 113.1 -8.1

Visual Comparison

Overall Cost About the same as Phoenix
Phoenix
103.3
Philadelphia
102.6
Goods Higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
95.0
Philadelphia
96.8
Services Higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
93.3
Philadelphia
114.4
Rents/Housing Lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
121.2
Philadelphia
113.1

Vertical marker = national average (100)

Salary Equivalents

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

Salary in Phoenix Equivalent in Philadelphia Difference
$50,000 $49,631 $369
$75,000 $74,447 $553
$100,000 $99,262 $738
$150,000 $148,894 $1,106

Use the salary calculator for custom amounts and reverse direction.

Metro Context

Metric Phoenix Philadelphia
Population 4,941,206 6,241,882
Median Household Income $84,703 $89,273
Data Year 2024 2024
State AZ PA

Key Differences

Overall Cost: Phoenix is 0.8 points cheaper than Philadelphia (103.3 vs 102.6).

Goods: Philadelphia is 1.8 points pricier than Phoenix (95.0 vs 96.8).

Services: Philadelphia is 21.1 points pricier than Phoenix (93.3 vs 114.4).

Rents/Housing: Phoenix is 8.1 points cheaper than Philadelphia (121.2 vs 113.1).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Philadelphia more expensive than Phoenix?
Philadelphia is 0.7% less expensive than Phoenix. The overall cost index is 102.6 vs 103.3 (national average = 100).
What salary in Philadelphia is equivalent to $100K in Phoenix?
A $100,000 salary in Phoenix has the same purchasing power as $99,262 in Philadelphia, based on BEA Regional Price Parity data.
How do housing costs compare between Phoenix and Philadelphia?
Housing/rents in Phoenix are indexed at 121.2 while Philadelphia is at 113.1 (national average = 100). Phoenix has higher housing costs.
Which is larger - Phoenix or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is larger by population. Phoenix has 4,941,206 residents vs 6,241,882 in Philadelphia.

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