Phoenix vs San Diego: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,609,456 | 1,383,987 |
| Median household income | $72,092 | $98,657 |
| Median home value | $340,200 | $783,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,322 | $2,080 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA comes down to what you value most. Phoenix has the lower median home value, and Phoenix has the lower median rent.
San Diego has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or San Diego?
- By median home value, Phoenix is the cheaper of the two ($340,200 vs $783,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Phoenix or San Diego?
- Median household income is $72,092 in Phoenix versus $98,657 in San Diego, per the US Census Bureau.