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Phoenix vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Phoenix, AZ | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.3 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,630 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,380 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $67,395 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,468 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $448,352 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $84,703 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 5.3 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 4,941,206 | 3,282,782 |
*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: Phoenix to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Phoenix to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.083.
| Salary in Phoenix | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Phoenix | $54,148 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Phoenix | $81,222 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Phoenix | $108,296 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Phoenix | $162,444 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Phoenix | $216,592 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Phoenix and San Diego
| Job | Phoenix | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,850 | $36,830 | $35,667 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,560 | $40,870 | $34,419 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $38,580 | $41,850 | $37,342 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $35,960 | $39,820 | $34,806 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $101,090 | $145,060 | $97,845 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,560 | $51,310 | $48,937 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $132,100 | $144,610 | $127,860 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $53,370 | $47,700 | $51,657 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,840 | $44,270 | $43,401 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,120 | $41,970 | $36,897 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $41,210 | $42,790 | $39,887 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $135,520 | $163,300 | $131,170 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $41,580 | $43,110 | $40,245 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $93,310 | $100,980 | $90,315 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,910 | $45,770 | $39,597 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Phoenix vs San Diego: questions
Is Phoenix more expensive than San Diego?
No. BEA prices are 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Phoenix?
About $108,296, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Phoenix or San Diego?
San Diego, 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.