Phoenix vs San Francisco
Cost of Living (2026)

Phoenix is 124% less expensive than San Francisco.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Phoenix, AZ

COL index100 ✓
State income tax2.5% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo ✓
Median home price$395K ✓
VS

San Francisco, CA

COL index224
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$3,600/mo
Median home price$1350K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPhoenix indexSan Francisco indexDifference
Housing130 ✓297+167%
Groceries95 ✓209+114%
Transportation96 ✓205+109%
Healthcare97 ✓215+118%
Utilities96 ✓193+97%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Phoenix → San Francisco

What salary in San Francisco gives you the same purchasing power as your Phoenix salary?

Salary in PhoenixEquivalent in San FranciscoDifference
$60,000$149,000+$89,000
$80,000$199,000+$119,000
$100,000$249,000+$149,000
$130,000$324,000+$194,000
$150,000$373,000+$223,000
$200,000$498,000+$298,000

Phoenix vs San Francisco: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, Phoenix comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 100 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 124%.

State income tax impact

Phoenix workers pay 2.5% Arizona state income tax, while San Francisco workers pay 9.3%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Phoenix is $395,000, compared to $1,350,000 in San Francisco. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,450/month in Phoenix versus $3,600/month in San Francisco.

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