Gresham vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gresham
Tempe
The Verdict
Tempe is 20.8% less expensive than Gresham overall. A household earning $75,000 in Gresham would need approximately $62,109 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $62,109 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $90,566 in Gresham.
Living in Gresham vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $400,000. The $59,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham vs $475/month in Tempe. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Gresham and 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham and 95 in Tempe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $69,600 in Gresham and $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $52,894 respectively. Gresham residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,308/month in Tempe. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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