Cost of living comparison
California is 35.4% more expensive than Phoenix.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.1% more in California
- Groceries
-
pay 22.5% more in California
- Transportation
-
pay 35.8% more in California
- Housing
-
pay 19.1% more in California
- Childcare
-
pay 2.2 times more in California
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 42.3% more in California
- Clothing
-
pay 3.8% more in California
The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, transportation, groceries, housing, and clothing in California are more expensive than in Phoenix. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in California.
If you lived in California instead of Phoenix, you would:
pay 1.1% more for restaurants
Phoenix
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$20.00
|
$21.02
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.00
|
$11.52
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.66
|
$2.71
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.14
|
$2.16
|
|
pay 22.5% more for groceries
Phoenix
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.79
|
$4.14
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.37
|
$6.95
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.36
|
$4.61
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.83
|
$4.33
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.34
|
$5.70
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$1.92
|
$2.34
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.64
|
$0.92
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.89
|
$1.91
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.03
|
$2.38
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.39
|
$1.39
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.20
|
$1.44
|
|
pay 35.8% more for transportation
Phoenix
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.71
|
$4.83
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$47.50
|
$62.05
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$30,000.00
|
$30,005.28
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$13.69
|
$20.07
|
|
pay 19.1% more for housing
Phoenix
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$76.55
|
$68.54
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,604.10
|
$2,371.29
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,380.70
|
$2,055.18
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$189.98
|
$171.68
|
|
pay 2.2 times more for childcare
Phoenix
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,125.00
|
$1,682.51
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$10,400.00
|
$30,905.75
|
|
pay 42.3% more for entertainment and sports
Phoenix
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.50
|
$7.00
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.58
|
$5.34
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.89
|
$10.91
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$25.75
|
$66.35
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.00
|
$14.41
|
|
pay 3.8% more for clothing
Phoenix
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$48.33
|
$52.77
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$38.33
|
$40.15
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$87.38
|
$85.15
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$112.94
|
$117.31
|
|
Change currency:
Help us improve these prices
ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY
Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about California or Phoenix. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.