Cost of Living: Phoenix vs Seattle (2026)

Phoenix vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 8% more expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $107,566 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 8% more expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $107,566 in Seattle.

Phoenix vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricPhoenixSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103111+8%
Median rent$1,458$1,998+37%
Median home value$381,900$912,100+139%
Median household income$77,041$121,984+58%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Phoenix has the same buying power as about $107,566 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $92,966 in Phoenix.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Phoenix and Seattle.

Compare any salary: Phoenix vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 111 vs 103 — a 8% difference. Your money goes further in Phoenix.

About $107,566 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Phoenix.