Living Cost Compare
Los Angeles

California

$2,010/mo est.

vs
Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,010 in Los Angeles, CA versus $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ. Overall, Phoenix, AZ is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Los Angeles, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ — about 4% higher in Los Angeles, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Los Angeles, CA
Phoenix, AZ

Rent

Studio
$1,468
$1,127
+23% in Los Angeles, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,688
$1,253
+26% in Los Angeles, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,148
$1,493
+30% in Los Angeles, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,489
$1,771
+29% in Los Angeles, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$879,500
$381,900
+57% in Los Angeles, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$80,366
$77,041
+4% in Los Angeles, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$51,380
+8% in Los Angeles, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.9 yr
34.8 yr
+2.1 yr in Los Angeles, CA
Homeownership
36.3%
57.1%
+20.8 pp in Phoenix, AZ
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.8%
32.3%
+5.5 pp in Los Angeles, CA
Avg Commute
31.1 min
25.7 min
+5.4 min in Los Angeles, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
730.5
799.6
+9% in Phoenix, AZ
Property Crime
1,501.2
2,338.9
+56% in Phoenix, AZ

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
67.0°F
75.1°F
+8.1°F in Phoenix, AZ
Annual Precipitation
21.2 in
8.2 in
+13.1 in in Los Angeles, CA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.89/gal
$5.57/gal
+5% in Los Angeles, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$2.00
+14% in Phoenix, AZ

Adult base one-way fare — LA Metro vs Valley Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.4
15.6
+53% in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$19.69
+5% in Los Angeles, CA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.37
$4.37
about equal
Bread (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$2.25
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.23
$7.23
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.14
$2.14
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.74
$0.74
about equal

Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / AZ)
7.25%
5.6%
+1.7 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
2.50%
+10.8 pp in CA

Los Angeles vs Phoenix — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Phoenix?
Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Los Angeles, CA's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Los Angeles than in Phoenix?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year in Los Angeles versus $50,000 in Phoenix.
Which has lower taxes, Los Angeles or Phoenix?
Los Angeles is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).