Phoenix has a reputation for being more affordable than other big cities in the country, but it comes in around the middle of the pack among the top 75 cities in the U.S., according to a recent cost of living analysis. 

Move.org recently analyzed data from the 75 largest cities in the U.S. to see which had the most affordable cost of living and which ones are San Francisco. 

Phoenix came in at No. 36 on the list, with average monthly expenses of $1,869.97. That is slightly less expensive than Detroit (No. 37, $1,883.52) and slightly pricier than Virginia Beach, Virginia (No. 35, $1,859.07). Tucson and Mesa also were included in the overall rankings. 

Those monthly averages break down as follows: 

El Paso, Texas, came in as the most affordable, with monthly expenses setting residents back $1,182.96 on average. At the other extreme, the city by the bay, San Francisco, boasts the highest cost of living: $4,210.60 on average a month. The bulk of that goes to rent, which averages out to $3,396.62 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, according to the analysis. 

To see breakdowns for average expenses for all 75 cities — including Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson — click thought the gallery above. 


By Tim Gallen  – Digital Editor, Phoenix Business Journal