Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Right around the national average, with affordable housing offset by serious summer cooling costs.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 102
Median 2BR rent: $1,900/mo
Housing: 100 vs 100
Groceries: 99 vs 100
Utilities: 114 vs 100
Transportation: 101 vs 100
Healthcare: 98 vs 100
Phoenix offers sunshine, sprawl, and reasonable housing for the West. The desert heat is the budget wildcard, since summer electric bills can rival a car payment.