Phoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Phoenix is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in San Diego are 15.6% higher, and utilities prices differ the most (93.3 in Phoenix vs 174.2 in San Diego). A single adult's modelled budget is $2,906 a month in Phoenix and $3,833 in San Diego.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Phoenix, AZ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 102.0 | 117.9 |
| BEA index for the area | 103.3 | 111.9 |
| Housing (rents) | 110.3 | 182.1 |
| Goods | 95.0 | 108.0 |
| Utilities | 93.3 | 174.2 |
| Other services | 104.0 | 99.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $2,906 | $3,833 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,642 | $6,000 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,684 | $7,416 |
| Median gross rent | $1,582 | $2,313 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,355 | $1,963 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,631 | $2,442 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,929 | $2,948 |
| Median home value | $420,700 | $906,700 |
| Median household income | $81,332 | $108,077 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 31.0% | 32.4% |
| Home value ÷ income | 5.2× | 8.4× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 15.05 | 29.75 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.77 † | $5.75 |
| Population | 1,642,323 | 1,389,526 |
* 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
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
San Diego, CA
San Diego price index by category, US average = 100: All items 117.9, Housing (rents) 182.1, Goods 108.0, Utilities 174.2, Other services 99.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Phoenix | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,694 | $2,764 | +$1,070 |
| Utilities | $500 | $761 | +$261 |
| Food at home | $706 | $802 | +$96 |
| Transportation | $1,740 | $2,034 | +$294 |
| Health care | $631 | $605 | −$26 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $413 | $450 | +$37 |
| Total | $5,684 | $7,416 | +$1,732 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is San Diego more expensive than Phoenix?
Yes. Overall prices in San Diego, CA (index 117.9) are 15.6% higher than in Phoenix, AZ (index 102.0), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in utilities: 174.2 vs 93.3.
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $60,000 in Phoenix?
About $69,300. Going the other way, $60,000 in San Diego buys about as much as $51,900 in Phoenix. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Phoenix or San Diego?
Median gross rent is $1,582 in Phoenix and $2,313 in San Diego (+46.2% in San Diego; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $420,700 and $906,700.
Notes
- Phoenix: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources