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

Phoenix vs Washington

Washington is 5.4% 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
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
108.9
Overall RPP
104.8
Goods
106.7
Services
151.1
Rents

Category Breakdown

Category Phoenix Washington Diff (B−A)
Overall Cost 103.3 108.9 +5.6
Goods 95.0 104.8 +9.8
Services 93.3 106.7 +13.4
Rents/Housing 121.2 151.1 +29.9

Visual Comparison

Overall Cost Higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
103.3
Washington
108.9
Goods Higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
95.0
Washington
104.8
Services Higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
93.3
Washington
106.7
Rents/Housing Higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
121.2
Washington
151.1

Vertical marker = national average (100)

Salary Equivalents

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

Salary in Phoenix Equivalent in Washington Difference
$50,000 $52,695 +$2,695
$75,000 $79,042 +$4,042
$100,000 $105,389 +$5,389
$150,000 $158,084 +$8,084

Use the salary calculator for custom amounts and reverse direction.

Metro Context

Metric Phoenix Washington
Population 4,941,206 6,263,796
Median Household Income $84,703 $123,896
Data Year 2024 2024
State AZ DC

Key Differences

Overall Cost: Washington is 5.6 points pricier than Phoenix (103.3 vs 108.9).

Goods: Washington is 9.8 points pricier than Phoenix (95.0 vs 104.8).

Services: Washington is 13.4 points pricier than Phoenix (93.3 vs 106.7).

Rents/Housing: Washington is 29.9 points pricier than Phoenix (121.2 vs 151.1).

⇆ Reverse comparison Phoenix details → Washington details →

Also Compare Phoenix With

vs New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington vs Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands vs Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington more expensive than Phoenix? ▼
Washington is 5.4% more expensive than Phoenix. The overall cost index is 108.9 vs 103.3 (national average = 100).
What salary in Washington is equivalent to $100K in Phoenix? ▼
A $100,000 salary in Phoenix has the same purchasing power as $105,389 in Washington, based on BEA Regional Price Parity data.
How do housing costs compare between Phoenix and Washington? ▼
Housing/rents in Phoenix are indexed at 121.2 while Washington is at 151.1 (national average = 100). Washington has higher housing costs.
Which is larger - Phoenix or Washington? ▼
Washington is larger by population. Phoenix has 4,941,206 residents vs 6,263,796 in Washington.

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