Tempe vs Warwick
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Tempe
Warwick
The Verdict
Tempe is 0.0% less expensive than Warwick overall. A household earning $75,000 in Tempe would need approximately $75,000 in Warwick 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 Tempe has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Warwick.
Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $75,000 in Tempe.
Living in Tempe vs Warwick
Housing Costs
Tempe's housing index of 114 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $413,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Tempe compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Tempe and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Tempe vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 Tempe and 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Tempe vs $448 in Warwick. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Tempe and 103 in Warwick. 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 $56,068 in Tempe and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,894 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,308/month to housing in Tempe vs $1,741/month in Warwick. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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