Seattle vs Phoenix
Cost of Living (2026)

Phoenix is 33% more affordable than Seattle. Plus, Washington has no state income tax vs Arizona's 2.5%.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Seattle, WA

COL index150
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo
Median home price$780K
VS

Phoenix, AZ

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexPhoenix indexDifference
Housing198130 ✓-68%
Groceries14195 ✓-46%
Transportation14096 ✓-44%
Healthcare14597 ✓-48%
Utilities13596 ✓-39%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Phoenix

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in PhoenixDifference
$60,000$41,000$-19,000
$80,000$55,000$-25,000
$100,000$69,000$-31,000
$130,000$90,000$-40,000
$150,000$104,000$-46,000
$200,000$138,000$-62,000

Seattle vs Phoenix: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 100 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 33%.

State income tax impact

Washington has no state income tax, giving Seattle workers an immediate 2.5% take-home pay advantage over Phoenix workers who pay Arizona's 2.5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Seattle is $780,000, compared to $395,000 in Phoenix. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200/month in Seattle versus $1,450/month in Phoenix.

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