Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Columbia, MO?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 16.6% more expensive than Columbia, MO. This translates to spending an extra $1243 per month.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Columbia, MO?

If you earn $150,000 in Columbia, MO, you'd need approximately $164,913.117 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Columbia, MO and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 46.5% more expensive than in Columbia, MO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $1,211/month in Columbia, MO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Columbia, MO to Phoenix, AZ?

Living in Phoenix, AZ costs approximately $1243 more per month than Columbia, MO, or $14913 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Columbia, MO vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Columbia, MO — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from St. Louis, MO area

Current salary in Columbia, MO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.9K in Phoenix, AZ

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 16.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,243

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Columbia, MO

Population:129K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$328K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$414K

Columbia, MO

The Show-Me State

129K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 129K residents.

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Fastest growing major city
•Desert metropolis
•Spring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Columbia, MO vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Columbia, MO	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,904/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $884more	46.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,237/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $252more	20.4%
🏥Healthcare	$531/mo	$589/mo	↑ $57.35more	10.8%
📦Other	$1,635/mo	$1,677/mo	↑ $42.04more	2.6%
⚡All Utilities	$540/mo	$561/mo	↑ $20.99more	3.9%
🛒Groceries	$958/mo	$963/mo	↑ $5.68more	0.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 46.5%

Columbia, MO

$1,904

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$884

🚗Transportation

↑ 20.4%

Columbia, MO

$1,237

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$252

🏥Healthcare

↑ 10.8%

Columbia, MO

$531

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$57.35

📦Other

↑ 2.6%

Columbia, MO

$1,635

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$42.04

⚡All Utilities

↑ 3.9%

Columbia, MO

$540

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$20.99

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.6%

Columbia, MO

$958

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$5.68

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$834

To$1,390

↑ $556

1 Bed

From$1,058

To$1,510

↑ $452

2 Bed

From$1,211

To$1,750

↑ $539

3 Bed

From$1,638

To$2,330

↑ $692

Columbia, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,010–$1,040/mo

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$2,380/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,805

Monthly in Columbia, MO

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$1,262

Difference

Home Values

Columbia

Phoenix

$328K

Median Value

$414K

↑ +3.4%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +38.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$268K - $360K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 26% more expensive than Columbia

Calculate payment - Columbia Calculate payment - Phoenix

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$225

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Columbia, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

Additional Tax Information

Columbia, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Columbia

Phoenix

54 Moderate

Air Quality

77 Moderate

38%

Good Air Days

99 High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌊🌡🫨

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌡

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

39 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

39 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Missouri and Arizona on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Columbia, MO on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

Columbia, MO

Phoenix, AZ

Columbia, MO

Phoenix, AZ

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code3 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code39 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Columbia, MO

Phoenix, AZ

Additional Tax Information

Columbia, MO Tax Rates

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ