Los Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | PhoenixPhoenix, AZ | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | Same | ||
| Affluence | Good | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Great | |
| Sovereignty | Moderate | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | High Risk | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 13.5%, the state and local tax burden in Los Angeles, CA is 4.0 points higher than the 9.5% in Phoenix, AZ, placing Los Angeles in the 92nd percentile and Phoenix in the 34th. 2023 Census figures show the cost of living index in Los Angeles at 222, 72% higher than Phoenix's 129, with Los Angeles in the 93rd percentile and Phoenix in the 67th. Median home values reflect this gap, with Los Angeles at $879,500 compared to Phoenix's $381,900, a 2.3× difference.
Unemployment in Los Angeles stands at 5.8%, 2.6 points higher than Phoenix's 3.2%, placing Los Angeles in the 97th percentile and Phoenix in the 29th. Job growth over the past year was 2.1% in Phoenix, 0.9 points higher than Los Angeles's 1.2%, with Phoenix in the 78th percentile and Los Angeles in the 55th. The average commute in Los Angeles is 31.1 minutes, 5 minutes longer than Phoenix's 25.7 minutes, with Los Angeles in the 89th percentile and Phoenix in the 65th.
Phoenix is 163 miles from the coastline, 13.9× farther than Los Angeles's 12 miles, with Phoenix in the 38th percentile and Los Angeles in the 11th. Violent crime rates are similar, with 668 per 100,000 in Los Angeles and 694 in Phoenix, both in the 92nd and 93rd percentiles respectively.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 22293rd pctl | 12967th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Los Angeles, CA 222; Phoenix, AZ 129; Los Angeles is 72% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $879,50094th pctl | $381,90069th pctl | Median home value: Los Angeles, CA $879,500; Phoenix, AZ $381,900; Los Angeles is 2.3 times higher. |
| Median rent | $1,87988th pctl | $1,45868th pctl | Median rent: Los Angeles, CA $1,879; Phoenix, AZ $1,458; Los Angeles is 29% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $80,36659th pctl | $77,04155th pctl | About the same |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $127,16192nd pctl | $74,19770th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Los Angeles, CA $127,161; Phoenix, AZ $74,197; Los Angeles is 71% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $186,92692nd pctl | $109,06970th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Los Angeles, CA $186,926; Phoenix, AZ $109,069; Los Angeles is 71% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Unaffordable | Stretched | Housing affordability: Los Angeles, CA F; Phoenix, AZ B-; Phoenix is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Phoenix needs about
$43,600
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 222 vs 129). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 5.8%97th pctl | 3.2%29th pctl | Unemployment: Los Angeles, CA 5.8%; Phoenix, AZ 3.2%; Los Angeles is 2.6 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +1.2%55th pctl | +2.1%78th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Los Angeles, CA +1.2%; Phoenix, AZ +2.1%; Phoenix is 0.9 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $46,27071st pctl | $40,30958th pctl | Per-capita income: Los Angeles, CA $46,270; Phoenix, AZ $40,309; Los Angeles is 15% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 16.5%72nd pctl | 14.3%63rd pctl | Poverty rate: Los Angeles, CA 16.5%; Phoenix, AZ 14.3%; Los Angeles is 2.2 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 31.1 min89th pctl | 25.7 min65th pctl | Average commute: Los Angeles, CA 31.1 min; Phoenix, AZ 25.7 min; Los Angeles is 5 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 17.3%77th pctl | 16.9%76th pctl | About the same |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Strong | Job market: Los Angeles, CA C-; Phoenix, AZ A+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 66892nd pctl | 69493rd pctl | About the same |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 2,24882nd pctl | 2,03678th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Los Angeles, CA 2,248; Phoenix, AZ 2,036; Los Angeles is 10% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Rising | Rising | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| ClimateClimate comfort | Comfortable | Dry | Climate comfort: Los Angeles, CA B+; Phoenix, AZ A+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Poor | Fair | Tap water: Los Angeles, CA D; Phoenix, AZ C+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Power grid: Los Angeles, CA A-; Phoenix, AZ A+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
3 rows not shown: broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Taxes: Los Angeles, CA D-; Phoenix, AZ B-; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | AState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi1st pctl | 9 mi9th pctl | Nearest large city: Los Angeles, CA 0 mi; Phoenix, AZ 9 mi; Phoenix is 8 mi higher. |
| Target proximity | Weak | Weak | Target proximity: Los Angeles, CA D+; Phoenix, AZ C+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 123 mi13th pctl | 113 mi12th pctl | Distance to international border: Los Angeles, CA 123 mi; Phoenix, AZ 113 mi; Los Angeles is 8% higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 12 mi11th pctl | 163 mi38th pctl | Distance to coastline: Los Angeles, CA 12 mi; Phoenix, AZ 163 mi; Phoenix is 13.9 times higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | High Risk | Vulnerable | Strategic location: Los Angeles, CA F; Phoenix, AZ D; Phoenix is graded higher. |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897100th pctl | 1,624,832100th pctl | Population: Los Angeles, CA 3,857,897; Phoenix, AZ 1,624,832; Los Angeles is 2.4 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 8,19997th pctl | 3,13479th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Los Angeles, CA 8,199; Phoenix, AZ 3,134; Los Angeles is 2.6 times higher. |
| Median age | 36.940th pctl | 34.824th pctl | Median age: Los Angeles, CA 36.9; Phoenix, AZ 34.8; Los Angeles is 2.1 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.8%63rd pctl | 32.3%50th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Los Angeles, CA 37.8%; Phoenix, AZ 32.3%; Los Angeles is 5.5 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.672nd pctl | 2.773rd pctl | About the same |
More about Los Angeles's residents · Phoenix's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
| Measure | Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | PhoenixPhoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cook PVI | D+17 | R+1 |
| 2024 presidential | D +31.0 pts | R +3.1 pts |
Full politics data: Los Angeles · Phoenix
Moving between Los Angeles and Phoenix
- Median rent: $1,879 in Los Angeles, $1,458 in Phoenix
- Median home value: $879,500 in Los Angeles, $381,900 in Phoenix
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 222 in Los Angeles, 129 in Phoenix
- Median household income: $80,366 in Los Angeles, $77,041 in Phoenix
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $186,926 in Los Angeles, $109,069 in Phoenix
- Unemployment: 5.8% in Los Angeles, 3.2% in Phoenix
- Average commute: 31.1 min in Los Angeles, 25.7 min in Phoenix
- Violent crime per 100k: 668 in Los Angeles, 694 in Phoenix
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More places like Los Angeles and Phoenix
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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