Moving from San Diego, CA to Phoenix, AZ
About 5,688 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Phoenix, AZ.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.6% of income in San Diego, CA and 19.0% in Phoenix, AZ.
San Diego, CA Phoenix, AZ (monthly)
| Monthly | San Diego, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,258 | $1,107 | −$152 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $189 | $113 | −$76 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $76 | $0 | −$76 |
| Take-home pay | $4,575 | $4,727 | +$152 |
| Housing | $2,335 | $1,493 | −$842 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,335 | $1,493 | −$842 |
| Food | $476 | $419 | −$57 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 95.0 | $476 | $419 | −$57 |
| Transportation | $249 | $205 | −$44 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.12/gal (West Coast less California (PADD)) | $249 | $205 | −$44 |
| Sales tax | $39 | $27 | −$13 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $39 | $27 | −$13 |
| Other goods & services | $1,038 | $995 | −$43 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 95.0 | $540 | $475 | −$65 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 104.0 | $498 | $520 | +$22 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $438 | $1,589 | +$1,150 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.5% of income in San Diego, CA and 14.0% in Phoenix, AZ.
San Diego, CA Phoenix, AZ (monthly)
| Monthly | San Diego, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,545 | $1,399 | −$147 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $180 | $164 | −$17 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $130 | $0 | −$130 |
| Take-home pay | $8,455 | $8,601 | +$147 |
| Housing | $2,823 | $1,734 | −$1,089 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,823 | $1,734 | −$1,089 |
| Childcare | $2,445 | $2,039 | −$406 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $210/wk, school-age $175/wk (2022 prices, Maricopa County, AZ); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,445 | $2,039 | −$406 |
| Food | $1,385 | $1,219 | −$166 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 95.0 | $1,385 | $1,219 | −$166 |
| Transportation | $498 | $409 | −$89 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.12/gal (West Coast less California (PADD)) | $498 | $409 | −$89 |
| Sales tax | $39 | $27 | −$13 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $39 | $27 | −$13 |
| Other goods & services | $1,038 | $995 | −$43 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 95.0 | $540 | $475 | −$65 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 104.0 | $498 | $520 | +$22 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $227 | $2,178 | +$1,951 |
San Diego, CA vs Phoenix, AZ at a glance
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 111.9 | 103.3 |
| Housing price level | 179.3 | 121.2 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,335 | $1,493 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,823 | $1,734 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,743 | $2,287 |
| Median home value | $854,700 | $440,900 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.68% | 0.44% |
| Median household income | $106,268 | $88,301 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $379 | $270 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 7.25% | 5.6% |
| Regular gasoline | $6.23 | $5.12 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $155 | $157 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Phoenix, AZ to keep my San Diego, CA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in San Diego, CA, about $51,822 in Phoenix, AZ (−26.0%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $89,922. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than San Diego, CA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Phoenix, AZ is at 103.3 and San Diego, CA at 111.9 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$1,150 a month in Phoenix, AZ.
How many people move from San Diego, CA to Phoenix, AZ?+
About 5,688 people a year (±1,147), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.