Los Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Phoenix is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Los Angeles are 12.4% higher, and utilities prices differ the most (158.6 in Los Angeles vs 93.3 in Phoenix). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,557 a month in Los Angeles and $2,906 in Phoenix.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 114.6 | 102.0 |
| BEA index for the area | 113.6 | 103.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 155.3 | 110.3 |
| Goods | 106.6 | 95.0 |
| Utilities | 158.6 | 93.3 |
| Other services | 104.4 | 104.0 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,557 | $2,906 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,676 | $4,642 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,915 | $5,684 |
| Median gross rent | $1,933 | $1,582 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,744 | $1,355 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,206 | $1,631 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,557 | $1,929 |
| Median home value | $921,200 | $420,700 |
| Median household income | $81,939 | $81,332 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 35.0% | 31.0% |
| Home value ÷ income | 11.2× | 5.2× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 29.75 | 15.05 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $5.75 | $4.77 † |
| Population | 3,857,263 | 1,642,323 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles price index by category, US average = 100: All items 114.6, Housing (rents) 155.3, Goods 106.6, Utilities 158.6, Other services 104.4
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix price index by category, US average = 100: All items 102.0, Housing (rents) 110.3, Goods 95.0, Utilities 93.3, Other services 104.0
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Los Angeles | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,335 | $1,694 | −$641 |
| Utilities | $711 | $500 | −$211 |
| Food at home | $792 | $706 | −$86 |
| Transportation | $1,994 | $1,740 | −$254 |
| Health care | $633 | $631 | −$2 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $450 | $413 | −$37 |
| Total | $6,915 | $5,684 | −$1,231 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Phoenix more expensive than Los Angeles?
No. Overall prices in Phoenix, AZ (index 102.0) are 11.0% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (index 114.6), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in utilities: 93.3 vs 158.6.
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match $60,000 in Los Angeles?
About $53,400. Going the other way, $60,000 in Phoenix buys about as much as $67,400 in Los Angeles. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Los Angeles or Phoenix?
Median gross rent is $1,933 in Los Angeles and $1,582 in Phoenix (−18.2% in Phoenix; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $921,200 and $420,700.
Notes
- Phoenix: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources