San Diego vs Phoenix Cost of Living

San Diego (United States) · Overall index 80.0Phoenix (United States) · Overall index 64.4

Summary

  • Overall, Phoenix is 19% cheaper than San Diego.
  • Rent in Phoenix is 40% cheaper than in San Diego.
  • Transport in Phoenix is 19% cheaper than in San Diego.
ItemSan DiegoPhoenixDiff
Rent-40%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,906$1,761-39%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,560$978-37%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$5,348$3,011-44%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$3,541$2,132-40%
Groceries-13%
Milk (1L)$1.29$1.14-12%
White bread (500g)$3.77$3.47-8%
Rice (1kg)$4.26$4.04-5%
Eggs (12)$4.41$4.3-2%
Local cheese (1kg)$14.8$11.2-24%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$12.7$10.5-17%
Beef round (1kg)$19.1$16.2-15%
Apples (1kg)$5.14$4.5-12%
Bananas (1kg)$1.82$1.59-13%
Oranges (1kg)$3.98$4.24+7%
Tomatoes (1kg)$5.15$4.34-16%
Potatoes (1kg)$3.07$2.37-23%
Onions (1kg)$2.92$2.65-9%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.36$2.17-8%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.61$2.25-14%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$15.1$11.6-23%
Transport-19%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.68$2.17-19%
Public transport, monthly pass$122$94.7-22%
Taxi, base fare$3.68$3.23-12%
Taxi, per km$1.86$1.43-23%
Gasoline (1L)$0.87$0.77-11%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$26,442$19,657-26%
Dining out-10%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$22.6$17.7-22%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$107$94.4-12%
Fast food combo meal$11.9$10.6-11%
Cappuccino$5.18$4.38-15%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$2.16$2.32+7%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$5.99$6.11+2%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$7.37$6.98-5%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.87$1.54-18%
Telecom-11%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$63.4$47.9-24%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$55.3$53.6-3%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.31$0.3-3%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13.3$11.9-11%
Utilities & household-12%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$153$139-9%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.2$0.20%
Tap water (1m³)$4.02$3.57-11%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.46$1.11-24%
Waste collection (monthly)$20.8$19.6-6%
Fitness club (monthly)$79.6$75.5-5%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$15.3$12-22%
Men's haircut$27.1$24.7-9%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$26.6$21.1-21%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,070$1,769-15%

3,066 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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