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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

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Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

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

Last updated: Feb 2026

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San DiegovsPhoenix

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from San Diego to Phoenix will save you approximately $337,271 on median home prices (46.9% less). Monthly rent is $1,405 cheaper in Phoenix. Note that median income is 28.1% lower in Phoenix.

Housing
46.9% cheaper
Rent
46.9% cheaper
View San DiegoView Phoenix
Phoenix

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price$719,487
Monthly Rent$2,998
Median Income$82,922
Population1,394,907
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Destination

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$382,216-46.9%
Monthly Rent
$1,593-46.9%
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.

San Diego

2015$1,782
2020$2,200
2025$2,998

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.

San Diego

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$60,674

Phoenix

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

Key Insights

46.9%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Phoenix
$1,405
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
28.1%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

San Diego

Population1,394,907
Median Age34.5 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

San Diego

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 San Diego?

Phoenix is 46.9% cheaper for housing than San Diego. The median home price in Phoenix is $382,216 compared to $719,487 in San Diego, a savings of $337,271.

What is the rent difference between San Diego and Phoenix?

Monthly rent in Phoenix averages $1,593, while San Diego averages $2,998. That's a savings of $1,405 per month, or $16,864 annually.

How do incomes compare between San Diego and Phoenix?

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

Which city is safer: San Diego or Phoenix?

San Diego 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.

Popular Comparisons

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