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Phoenix vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.3 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,630 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,380 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $67,395 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,468 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $448,352 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $84,703 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 5.3 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 4,941,206 | 4,653,593 |
*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 San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Phoenix to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.119.
| Salary in Phoenix | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Phoenix | $55,951 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Phoenix | $83,927 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Phoenix | $111,902 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Phoenix | $167,853 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Phoenix | $223,805 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Phoenix and San Francisco
| Job | Phoenix | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,850 | $38,810 | $35,667 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $135,520 | $193,430 | $131,170 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,560 | $44,620 | $34,419 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $132,100 | $177,240 | $127,860 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $101,090 | $176,900 | $97,845 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $38,580 | $47,290 | $37,342 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $35,960 | $43,260 | $34,806 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,560 | $56,950 | $48,937 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,840 | $51,280 | $43,401 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $82,280 | $110,360 | $79,639 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,120 | $48,720 | $36,897 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $53,370 | $46,460 | $51,657 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $41,580 | $50,270 | $40,245 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $41,210 | $47,210 | $39,887 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $90,110 | $120,780 | $87,218 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Phoenix vs San Francisco: questions
Is Phoenix more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Phoenix?
About $111,902, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Phoenix or San Francisco?
San Francisco, CA: 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.
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