Question 1

Is Los Angeles or Phoenix cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $946/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Los Angeles versus $1,839/mo in Phoenix.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Los Angeles vs Phoenix?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $105,000/year before tax in Los Angeles, CA and $80,000/year in Phoenix, AZ — a difference of about $25,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Los Angeles or Phoenix cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,135/month in Los Angeles and $10,297/month in Phoenix, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Los Angeles or Phoenix?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Phoenix costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Los Angeles49	Phoenix58
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,329	$4,383
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,135	$10,297
Salary for comfort	$105,000/yr	$80,000/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,839
Median home value	$879,500	$381,900
Median household income	$80,366	$77,041
Unemployment	5.3%	4.7%
Housing score	1	42
Jobs score	20	24
Safety score	47	45
Climate score	100	72
Amenities score	100	92
Population	3.9M	1.6M
Summer high / winter low	83° / 48°	106° / 46°

Los Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZ