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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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Palo AltovsPhoenix

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Palo Alto to Phoenix will save you approximately $611,683 on median home prices (61.5% less). Monthly rent is $2,549 cheaper in Phoenix. Note that median income is 28.1% lower in Phoenix.

Housing
61.5% cheaper
Rent
61.5% cheaper
View Palo AltoView Phoenix
Phoenix

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Palo Alto, CA

Median Home Price$993,899
Monthly Rent$4,141
Median Income$82,922
Population66,848
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Destination

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$382,216-61.5%
Monthly Rent
$1,593-61.5%
Median Income
$59,662-28.1%
Population1,563,001
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Palo Alto

2015$3,397
2020$3,321
2025$4,141

Phoenix

2015$881
2020$1,252
2025$1,593

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Phoenix.

Palo Alto

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$74,395

Phoenix

Housing$9,175
Food$5,768
Transport$13,114
Healthcare$11,621
Total$43,811
Costs

Key Insights

61.5%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Phoenix
$2,549
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
28.1%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Palo Alto

Population66,848
Median Age40.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Phoenix

Population1,563,001
Median Age33.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate426 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2115 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Palo Alto

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Phoenix

426
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2115
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Palo Alto?

Phoenix is 61.5% cheaper for housing than Palo Alto. The median home price in Phoenix is $382,216 compared to $993,899 in Palo Alto, a savings of $611,683.

What is the rent difference between Palo Alto and Phoenix?

Monthly rent in Phoenix averages $1,593, while Palo Alto averages $4,141. That's a savings of $2,549 per month, or $30,584 annually.

How do incomes compare between Palo Alto and Phoenix?

The median household income in Phoenix is $59,662, which is 28.1% lower than Palo Alto's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Palo Alto or Phoenix?

Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Phoenix has 426 per 100k. Phoenix is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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