Cost of living · head to head
New York, NY is 9% pricier than Phoenix, AZ.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Phoenix, AZoverall index
103.3
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Try your own salary
in Phoenix, AZ
To live the same in New York, NY, you’d need about $109,003.
That’s about $9,003 more — New York, NY is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 9%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in New York, NY runs 23% higher than in Phoenix, AZ (148.6 vs 121.2), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in New York, NY
| $50,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $54,501 |
| $75,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $81,752 |
| $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $109,003 |
| $150,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $163,504 |
| $200,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $218,006 |
Each row shows the salary in New York, NY that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Phoenix, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ · housing
121.2
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Common questions
Is New York, NY cheaper than Phoenix, AZ?
No — New York, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 112.6 versus 103.3 for Phoenix, AZ, making it about 9% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in New York, NY to match $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ?
About $109,003. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Phoenix, AZ costs roughly $109,003 in New York, NY.
Is housing cheaper in New York, NY than in Phoenix, AZ?
Housing in New York, NY scores 148.6 versus 121.2 in Phoenix, AZ — about 23% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Phoenix, AZ and New York, NY?
Overall, New York, NY is about 9% pricier than Phoenix, AZ (index 112.6 vs 103.3), with housing 23% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.