Living Cost Compare
Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/mo est.

vs
San Diego

California

$2,210/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ versus $2,210 in San Diego, CA. Overall, Phoenix, AZ is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Diego, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ and $104,321 in San Diego, CA — about 26% higher in San Diego, CA. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA

Rent

Studio
$1,127
$1,737
+54% in San Diego, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,253
$1,883
+50% in San Diego, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,493
$2,348
+57% in San Diego, CA
3 Bedroom
$1,771
$2,818
+59% in San Diego, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$381,900
$848,500
+122% in San Diego, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$77,041
$104,321
+35% in San Diego, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,380
$58,690
+14% in San Diego, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.8 yr
36.0 yr
+1.2 yr in San Diego, CA
Homeownership
57.1%
47.6%
+9.5 pp in Phoenix, AZ
Bachelor's+ (25+)
32.3%
49.9%
+17.6 pp in San Diego, CA
Avg Commute
25.7 min
23.9 min
+1.8 min in Phoenix, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
799.6
414.1
+48% in Phoenix, AZ
Property Crime
2,338.9
1,693.1
+28% 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
75.1°F
63.6°F
+11.5°F in Phoenix, AZ
Annual Precipitation
8.2 in
10.3 in
+2.2 in in San Diego, CA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.57/gal
$5.91/gal
+6% in San Diego, CA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
$2.50
+25% in San Diego, CA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.6
33.4
+114% in San Diego, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.69
$20.72
+5% in San Diego, 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 (AZ / CA)
5.6%
7.25%
+1.7 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
13.30%
+10.8 pp in CA

Phoenix vs San Diego — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or San Diego?
Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below San Diego, CA's $2,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Phoenix than in San Diego?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $75,000 in San Diego.
Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or San Diego?
Phoenix is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); San Diego under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).