Philadelphia, PA · Phoenix, AZ

Cost of Living: Philadelphia vs Phoenix

Living in Philadelphia, PA costs 0.7% less than in Phoenix, AZ: a $100,000 salary in Philadelphia, PA buys what $100,743 buys in Phoenix, AZ, based on BEA regional price parities for 2024.

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Philadelphia vs Phoenix: prices, pay and housing

Philadelphia, PAPhoenix, AZ
BEA price parity (U.S. = 100)102.6103.3
Average salary, all jobs$71,730$69,630
Median salary, all jobs$54,310$51,380
Average salary adjusted for prices$69,944$67,395
Take-home on the average salary*$57,090$56,468
Typical home value$390,463$448,352
Median household income$89,273$84,703
Home price / household income4.45.3
Metro population6,241,8824,941,206

*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.

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Equivalent salary: Philadelphia to Phoenix

To keep the same standard of living when moving from Philadelphia to Phoenix, multiply your salary by 1.007.

Salary in PhiladelphiaSame buying power in Phoenix
$50,000 in Philadelphia$50,372 in Phoenix
$75,000 in Philadelphia$75,557 in Phoenix
$100,000 in Philadelphia$100,743 in Phoenix
$150,000 in Philadelphia$151,115 in Phoenix
$200,000 in Philadelphia$201,486 in Phoenix

Salaries for common jobs in Philadelphia and Phoenix

JobPhiladelphiaPhoenixAdjusted for prices
General and Operations Managers$145,650$132,100$142,023 / $127,860
Retail Salespersons$36,970$38,580$36,049 / $37,342
Customer Service Representatives$49,100$48,550$47,877 / $46,992
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$32,250$36,850$31,447 / $35,667
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$43,930$44,840$42,836 / $43,401
Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,880$35,560$31,086 / $34,419
Registered Nurses$101,400$101,090$98,875 / $97,845
Cashiers$32,970$35,960$32,149 / $34,806
Stockers and Order Fillers$39,140$41,210$38,165 / $39,887
Waiters and Waitresses$41,390$53,370$40,359 / $51,657
Office Clerks, General$48,560$50,560$47,351 / $48,937
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$62,060$59,790$60,514 / $57,871
Software Developers$136,050$135,520$132,662 / $131,170
Construction Laborers$58,940$48,670$57,472 / $47,108
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$39,610$38,120$38,624 / $36,897
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary

Adjusted = average salary divided by the BEA price parity: what it buys in a typical U.S. metro.

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Philadelphia vs Phoenix: questions

Is Philadelphia more expensive than Phoenix?

No. BEA prices are 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA and 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ (U.S. = 100).

What salary do I need in Phoenix to match $100,000 in Philadelphia?

About $100,743, before taxes.

Where do salaries go further, Philadelphia or Phoenix?

Philadelphia, PA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.

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