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Phoenix vs Seattle: prices, pay and housing
| Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.3 | 111.1 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,630 | $91,790 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,380 | $72,610 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $67,395 | $82,595 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,468 | $73,404 |
| Typical home value | $448,352 | $750,279 |
| Median household income | $84,703 | $112,594 |
| Home price / household income | 5.3 | 6.7 |
| Metro population | 4,941,206 | 4,021,467 |
*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 Seattle
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Phoenix to Seattle, multiply your salary by 1.076.
| Salary in Phoenix | Same buying power in Seattle |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Phoenix | $53,783 in Seattle |
| $75,000 in Phoenix | $80,675 in Seattle |
| $100,000 in Phoenix | $107,566 in Seattle |
| $150,000 in Phoenix | $161,349 in Seattle |
| $200,000 in Phoenix | $215,132 in Seattle |
Salaries for common jobs in Phoenix and Seattle
| Job | Phoenix | Seattle | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $135,520 | $174,920 | $131,170 / $157,397 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,850 | $49,500 | $35,667 / $44,541 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,560 | $42,260 | $34,419 / $38,027 |
| Retail Salespersons | $38,580 | $45,020 | $37,342 / $40,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $101,090 | $126,390 | $97,845 / $113,729 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $93,310 | $110,050 | $90,315 / $99,025 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $41,210 | $47,470 | $39,887 / $42,715 |
| Cashiers | $35,960 | $44,720 | $34,806 / $40,240 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,840 | $49,650 | $43,401 / $44,676 |
| General and Operations Managers | $132,100 | $169,740 | $127,860 / $152,736 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,560 | $56,470 | $48,937 / $50,813 |
| Project Management Specialists | $107,910 | $133,590 | $104,447 / $120,207 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,120 | $49,380 | $36,897 / $44,433 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $53,370 | $62,940 | $51,657 / $56,635 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $48,550 | $56,350 | $46,992 / $50,705 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Phoenix vs Seattle: questions
Is Phoenix more expensive than Seattle?
No. BEA prices are 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ and 111.1 in Seattle, WA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in Phoenix?
About $107,566, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Phoenix or Seattle?
Seattle, WA: 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.