Cost of living · head to head
Phoenix, AZ is 5% cheaper than Washington, DC.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Phoenix, AZoverall index
103.3
Try your own salary
in Washington, DC
To live the same in Phoenix, AZ, you’d need about $94,858.
That’s about $5,142 less — Phoenix, AZ is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Phoenix, AZ runs 20% lower than in Washington, DC (121.2 vs 151.1), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Phoenix, AZ
| $50,000 in Washington, DC | $47,429 |
| $75,000 in Washington, DC | $71,143 |
| $100,000 in Washington, DC | $94,858 |
| $150,000 in Washington, DC | $142,287 |
| $200,000 in Washington, DC | $189,715 |
Each row shows the salary in Phoenix, AZ that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Phoenix, AZ · housing
121.2
Common questions
Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Washington, DC?
Yes — Phoenix, AZ has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.3 versus 108.9 for Washington, DC, making it about 5% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Phoenix, AZ to match $100,000 in Washington, DC?
About $94,858. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Washington, DC costs roughly $94,858 in Phoenix, AZ.
Is housing cheaper in Phoenix, AZ than in Washington, DC?
Housing in Phoenix, AZ scores 121.2 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 20% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ?
Overall, Phoenix, AZ is about 5% cheaper than Washington, DC (index 103.3 vs 108.9), with housing 20% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.