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Cost of living · head to head

Phoenix, AZ is approximately 1% pricier than Philadelphia, PA, using Philadelphia, PA as the comparison base.

Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average. Figures represent the wider Philadelphia, PA and Phoenix, AZ metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Phoenix, AZoverall index
103.3
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Philadelphia, PA
A salary of $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA has approximately the same purchasing power as $100,682 in Phoenix, AZ, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Philadelphia, PA and Phoenix, AZ cost about the same overall, so $100,000 would go roughly as far in either place — your day-to-day spending shouldn’t feel noticeably different.
Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Phoenix, AZ run 7% higher than in Philadelphia, PA (121.2 vs 113.1), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people, housing rents move the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.

CategoryPhiladelphia, PAPhoenix, AZDifference
Overall102.6103.3+1%
Goods96.895.0-2%
Housing rents113.1121.2+7%
Utilities114.493.3-18%
Other services103.1104.0+1%

Phoenix, AZ differs from Philadelphia, PA the most in utilities — about 18% lower in Phoenix, AZ — while the closest is other services.

$50,000 in Philadelphia, PA$50,341
$75,000 in Philadelphia, PA$75,512
$100,000 in Philadelphia, PA$100,682
$150,000 in Philadelphia, PA$151,023
$200,000 in Philadelphia, PA$201,365

Each row shows the estimated salary equivalent in Phoenix, AZ, based on regional price levels, for the amount earned in Philadelphia, PA.

Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?

No — Phoenix, AZ has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.3 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia, PA, making it about 1% more expensive.

What is the estimated salary equivalent for $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA if you moved to Phoenix, AZ?

About $100,682, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Philadelphia, PA has approximately the same purchasing power as $100,682 in Phoenix, AZ. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Phoenix, AZ than in Philadelphia, PA?

Housing rents in Phoenix, AZ score 121.2 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 7% more expensive. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

What is the cost of living difference between Philadelphia, PA and Phoenix, AZ?

Overall, Phoenix, AZ is about 1% pricier than Philadelphia, PA (index 103.3 vs 102.6), with housing 7% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.