Phoenix vs San Diego: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Phoenix's typical home is worth $340,200, 57% lower than the typical home in San Diego at $783,300.
On median household income, Phoenix posts $72,092 while San Diego posts $98,657.
Typical rent runs $1,322 in Phoenix and $2,080 in San Diego.
On climate risk, the two cities are evenly matched — both rated "Very High" by FEMA.
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,609,456 | 1,383,987 |
| Median home value | $340,200 | $783,300 |
| Median household income | $72,092 | $98,657 |
| Median gross rent | $1,322 | $2,080 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Very High | Very High |
On housing costs, Phoenix, AZ looks more affordable than San Diego, CA — lower median home value and rent. This reflects housing only, not total cost of living.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.