CostIndexUSA

Philadelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
AZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Philadelphia is slightly cheaper than Phoenix — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Philadelphia, you would need $80,500 in Phoenix. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+7.2%
Philadelphia
113.1
Phoenix
121.2
🛒 Groceries1.9%
Philadelphia
96.8
Phoenix
95
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Philadelphia
108.2
Phoenix
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+0.9%
Philadelphia
97.9
Phoenix
98.8
Utilities18.4%
Philadelphia
114.4
Phoenix
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Philadelphia to see what you'd need to earn in Phoenix to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$80,500
$500 more needed in Phoenix

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 102.6) = salary × 1.0068. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
113.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Phoenix has 7.2% higher housing costs compared to Philadelphia.

Income & Job Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
1,603,797
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTourismManufacturing

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.