Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Phoenix
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Los Angeles compared to Phoenix?
In Los Angeles, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $76K in Phoenix. That means Phoenix offers 31% more spending power. Your money goes further in Phoenix.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Phoenix
$76K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $76K in Phoenix vs $100K in Los Angeles
Los Angeles
78.6
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Phoenix
60.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Phoenix is 24% cheaper than Los Angeles
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Los Angeles and Phoenix, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Los Angeles median | Phoenix median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $157K | $113K | Los Angeles wins by 6% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $159K | $120K | roughly equal |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $237K | $187K | Phoenix wins by 3% |
| Data Scientists | $119K | $96K | Phoenix wins by 6% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79K | $72K | Phoenix wins by 19% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.76x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Los Angeles vs Phoenix?
A: Los Angeles is approximately 31% more expensive than Phoenix, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Phoenix is equivalent to about $131K in Los Angeles. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Phoenix?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Phoenix, you would need approximately $131K in Los Angeles. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Los Angeles and Phoenix?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Los Angeles wins by 6% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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