San Diego vs Phoenix
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Diego, CA and Phoenix, AZ.
San Diego, CA
COL Index
160
Monthly Budget
$8,000
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.4M
Phoenix, AZ
COL Index
103
Monthly Budget
$5,150
State Tax
2.5%
Population
1.6M
San Diego is 55% more expensive than Phoenix
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Diego | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,135 | $1,724 | +$1,411 |
| Groceries | $962 | $666 | +$296 |
| Transport | $1,232 | $822 | +$410 |
| Healthcare | $568 | $408 | +$160 |
| Utilities | $480 | $309 | +$171 |
| Other | $1,776 | $1,229 | +$547 |
| Total | $8,000 | $5,150 | +$2,850 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Diego (CA) | Phoenix (AZ) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $2,500 | +$3,453 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $23,320 | +$3,453 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $76,680 | -$3,453 |
Salary Equivalent
What a San Diego salary is worth in Phoenix (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Diego Salary | Equivalent in Phoenix | Phoenix Salary | Equivalent in San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $32,188 | $50,000 | $77,670 |
| $75,000 | $48,281 | $75,000 | $116,505 |
| $100,000 | $64,375 | $100,000 | $155,340 |
| $150,000 | $96,563 | $150,000 | $233,010 |