Advertisement
Arizona vs California: prices, pay and taxes
| Arizona | California | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.7 | 110.7 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,620 | $80,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $67,165 | $72,878 |
| Take-home on $100,000* | $77,074 | $73,972 |
| Median household income | $76,872 | $96,334 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Population | 7,268,175 | 39,242,785 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA, 2026 rules, no city or county taxes.
Compare with another state or city
Cost of living in Arizona cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 103.3 | $69,630 | $448,352 |
| Tucson | 96.9 | $63,200 | $343,580 |
| Prescott Valley | 98.3 | $58,700 | $392,900 |
| Lake Havasu City | 94.1 | $54,860 | $354,412 |
| Yuma | 92.7 | $55,390 | $281,359 |
| Flagstaff | 100.3 | $61,230 | $628,981 |
Cost of living in California cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 113.6 | $77,270 | $968,608 |
| San Francisco | 115.6 | $100,220 | $1,149,215 |
| Riverside | 106.4 | $65,160 | $585,378 |
| San Diego | 111.9 | $79,060 | $946,365 |
| Sacramento | 106.7 | $77,150 | $582,707 |
| San Jose | 110.4 | $119,230 | $1,610,466 |
Advertisement
Go deeper
More state comparisons
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. State average: all occupations, employment-weighted over the state's metro and nonmetro areas.
- Taxes: single filer with the standard deduction; federal income tax with 2026 brackets (IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 and Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000), and each state's 2026 rules as published by its revenue department.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.