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Los Angeles vs Phoenix: prices, pay and housing
| Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 113.6 | 103.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $77,270 | $69,630 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $55,850 | $51,380 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,040 | $67,395 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $60,080 | $56,468 |
| Typical home value | $968,608 | $448,352 |
| Median household income | $93,525 | $84,703 |
| Home price / household income | 10.4 | 5.3 |
| Metro population | 13,012,469 | 4,941,206 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Los Angeles to Phoenix
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Los Angeles to Phoenix, multiply your salary by 0.910.
| Salary in Los Angeles | Same buying power in Phoenix |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Los Angeles | $45,487 in Phoenix |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles | $68,231 in Phoenix |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles | $90,974 in Phoenix |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles | $136,462 in Phoenix |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles | $181,949 in Phoenix |
Salaries for common jobs in Los Angeles and Phoenix
| Job | Los Angeles | Phoenix | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $157,110 | $132,100 | $138,342 / $127,860 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,010 | $38,580 | $37,872 / $37,342 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,500 | $48,550 | $47,109 / $46,992 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,890 | $36,850 | $31,603 / $35,667 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,070 | $44,840 | $38,806 / $43,401 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,080 | $35,560 | $36,173 / $34,419 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,370 | $101,090 | $123,602 / $97,845 |
| Cashiers | $39,550 | $35,960 | $34,826 / $34,806 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,400 | $41,210 | $37,335 / $39,887 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,640 | $53,370 | $37,546 / $51,657 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,980 | $50,560 | $44,890 / $48,937 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,230 | $59,790 | $53,916 / $57,871 |
| Software Developers | $161,900 | $135,520 | $142,560 / $131,170 |
| Construction Laborers | $63,220 | $48,670 | $55,668 / $47,108 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $43,050 | $38,120 | $37,907 / $36,897 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Los Angeles vs Phoenix: questions
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Phoenix?
Yes. BEA prices are 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA and 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
About $90,974, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Los Angeles or Phoenix?
Los Angeles, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.