Cost of Living: Phoenix vs Washington (2026)

Phoenix vs Washington cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Washington is about 5% more expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $105,389 in Washington.

Washington is about 5% more expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $105,389 in Washington.

Phoenix vs Washington: the numbers

MetricPhoenixWashingtonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103109+5%
Median rent$1,458$1,900+30%
Median home value$381,900$724,600+90%
Median household income$77,041$106,287+38%

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 $105,389 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $94,886 in Phoenix.

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

Compare any salary: Phoenix vs Washington

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 103 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Phoenix.

About $105,389 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Phoenix.