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Side-by-side comparison

Los Angeles vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison for Los Angeles, California and Phoenix, Arizona.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 12% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Phoenix · Studio
$1,530
Los Angeles is $326 (21%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Phoenix · 1 bedroom
$1,679
Los Angeles is $402 (24%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Phoenix · 2 bedroom
$1,950
Los Angeles is $675 (35%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Phoenix · 3 bedroom
$2,624
Los Angeles is $711 (27%) higher than Phoenix

Income & earnings in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Phoenix · Household income
$85,518
Los Angeles is $2,242 (3%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Phoenix · Individual earnings
$46,640
Phoenix is $3,163 (7%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Phoenix · Per capita
$44,210
Los Angeles is $109 (0%) higher than Phoenix

Home values in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

Average values and property tax.

Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Phoenix · Average home value
$414,700
Los Angeles is $368,600 (89%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Phoenix · Annual property tax
$1,965
Los Angeles is $3,473 (177%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Phoenix · Monthly electricity
$150
Los Angeles is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Phoenix · Monthly gas
$39
Los Angeles is $11 (28%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Phoenix · Annual total
$2,268
Los Angeles is $336 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Phoenix · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles and Phoenix are about the same
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Phoenix · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles and Phoenix are about the same
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Phoenix · Uninsured rate
10.7%
Phoenix is 2.0% (23%) higher than Los Angeles

Taxes in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

State income and sales tax.

Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Phoenix · State income tax
2.5%
Los Angeles is 10.8% (432%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Phoenix · State sales tax
5.6%
Los Angeles is 1.7% (29%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Phoenix · Combined sales tax
8.4%
Los Angeles is 0.5% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

Commute time and travel modes.

Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Phoenix · Average commute
26.1 min
Los Angeles is 4.7 min (18%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Phoenix · Drive alone
66.6%
Phoenix is 0.2% (0%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Phoenix · Public transit
1.3%
Los Angeles is 2.9% (223%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Los Angeles vs Phoenix

All categories combined.

Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Phoenix · Single person
$3,694
Los Angeles is $441 (12%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Phoenix · Couple
$5,274
Los Angeles is $1,060 (20%) higher than Phoenix
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Phoenix · Family
$8,098
Los Angeles is $1,153 (14%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Is Los Angeles or Phoenix more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California and $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona, a difference of about 12%.

What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Phoenix?

Average one-bedroom rent in Los Angeles, California is $2,081/mo versus $1,679/mo in Phoenix, Arizona. Los Angeles is approximately $402 (24%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Los Angeles or Phoenix?

Los Angeles has the higher average household income. Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year; Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year.

More on Los Angeles and Phoenix

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

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.