Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Phoenix, Arizona.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 24% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Seattle vs Phoenix

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Seattle is $708 (46%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Seattle is $614 (37%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Seattle is $721 (37%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Seattle is $897 (34%) higher than Phoenix

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Phoenix

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Seattle is $36,630 (43%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Seattle is $20,501 (44%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Seattle is $26,852 (61%) higher than Phoenix

Home values in Seattle vs Phoenix

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Seattle is $396,500 (96%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Seattle is $4,820 (245%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Seattle vs Phoenix

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Phoenix is $41 (38%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Seattle is $9 (23%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Phoenix is $384 (20%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Phoenix

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Phoenix are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Phoenix are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Phoenix is 5.5% (106%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Phoenix

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Phoenix is 2.5% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Seattle is 0.9% (16%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Seattle is 1.9% (22%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Seattle vs Phoenix

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Seattle is 2.0 min (8%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Phoenix is 14.8% (29%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Seattle is 6.7% (515%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Phoenix

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Seattle is $894 (24%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Seattle is $1,150 (22%) higher than Phoenix

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Seattle is $1,342 (17%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Phoenix.

Is Seattle or Phoenix more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona, a difference of about 24%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Phoenix?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,679/mo in Phoenix, Arizona. Seattle is approximately $614 (37%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Phoenix?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year.

More on Seattle and Phoenix

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Seattle profile Phoenix profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.