Phoenix vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison

Phoenix's homes carry a median value of $340,200, which is 59% lower than the $822,600 median value in Los Angeles.

Median household income is $72,092 in Phoenix versus $76,244 in Los Angeles.

Typical rent runs $1,322 in Phoenix and $1,791 in Los Angeles.

On climate risk, the two cities are evenly matched — both rated "Very High" by FEMA.

Metric	Phoenix, AZ	Los Angeles, CA
Population	1,609,456	3,881,041
Median home value	$340,200	$822,600
Median household income	$72,092	$76,244
Median gross rent	$1,322	$1,791
Climate risk (FEMA)	Very High	Very High

Both home values and rent run lower in Phoenix, AZ than in Los Angeles, CA, making it the more affordable of the two on housing alone.

Moving between Phoenix and Los Angeles

Phoenix and Los Angeles are 364 miles apart in a straight line.

What changes when you move	Phoenix → Los Angeles	Los Angeles → Phoenix
Median rent	+$469/mo (+35%)	−$469/mo (−26%)
Median home value	+$482,400 (+142%)	−$482,400 (−59%)
Median household income	+$4,152 (+6%)	−$4,152 (−5%)

Estimated moving cost (either direction)

Home size	Estimated cost
Studio / 1-bedroom	$795 – $1,237
2-3 bedroom	$2,155 – $3,316
4+ bedroom house	$3,841 – $5,889

Estimates based on typical per-mile and per-room moving-industry rates; actual quotes vary by mover, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Phoenix, AZ Los Angeles, CA

419 miles estimated driving distance · 7 hours of highway driving

DIY Truck Rental

$544 – $693

Includes an estimated $147 in fuel (42 gal at ~10 mpg) over 1 driving day.

Professional Movers

$2,602 – $4,533

Full-service crew, loading and unloading included.

Estimates based on typical rental-truck, fuel, and professional-mover industry rates; actual quotes vary by carrier, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index

Data last updated July 2026.