⚖️ City Comparison

Phoenix vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Phoenix

Arizona
100
Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$57,459
Median Income

Warwick

Rhode Island
116
Expensive
$350,000
Median Home
$1,570/mo
Median Rent
$61,200
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

14% Cheaper

Phoenix is 14% cheaper than Warwick overall. A $75,000 salary in Phoenix is equivalent to $87,000 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Phoenix (left) vs Warwick (right). National average = 100.

Housing
102
Housing
116
Groceries
99
Groceries
112
Utilities
96
Utilities
113
Transportation
103
Transportation
115
Healthcare
95
Healthcare
121

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Phoenix versus Warwick. Differences shown from Phoenix perspective.

ItemPhoenixWarwickDifference
1-Bed Rent$1,000/mo$1,090/mo$-90.00
2-Bed Rent$1,400/mo$1,570/mo$-170.00
3-Bed Rent$1,860/mo$2,030/mo$-170.00
Bread (loaf)$2.60$3.04$-0.44
Milk (gallon)$3.75$4.27$-0.52
Eggs (dozen)$3.26$3.76$-0.50
Coffee (latte)$6.48$6.20+$0.28
Gas (gallon)$3.31$3.47$-0.16
Restaurant Meal$15.67$17.11$-1.44

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Phoenix has the same purchasing power as $87,000 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $64,655 in Phoenix.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$55,762
Phoenix (Arizona)
$54,112
Warwick (Rhode Island)

The $1650 difference is driven by Rhode Island having a higher state income tax rate. Arizona details → · Rhode Island details →

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

Adjust category weights to match your spending priorities.

35%
20%
15%
15%
15%
Your Weighted Score
100 vs 116

Reading These Numbers: Phoenix (100) vs Warwick (116)

Phoenix at 100 is 0% below the US average, while Warwick at 116 is 16% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

In Phoenix, the composite index of 100 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 102, followed by groceries (99), utilities (96), transportation (103), and healthcare (95). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/mo in Phoenix and $1,570/mo in Warwick, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,040.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $10,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $0.0 difference in median home prices between Phoenix and Warwick translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving Planners →Finance Books →Budget Planners →

Amazon affiliate links

Making Your Decision: Phoenix vs Warwick

Choosing between Phoenix and Warwick involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.

Long-term affordability in Phoenix versus Warwick depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.