Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Covington, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 21.3% more expensive than Covington, KY. This translates to spending an extra $1596 per month.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Covington, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Covington, KY, you'd need approximately $169,150.816 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Covington, KY and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 55.9% more expensive than in Covington, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $1,130/month in Covington, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Covington, KY to Phoenix, AZ?

Living in Phoenix, AZ costs approximately $1596 more per month than Covington, KY, or $19151 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Covington, KY vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Covington, KY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Cincinnati, OH area

Current salary in Covington, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.6K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $169.2K in Phoenix, AZ

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN area

Overall Cost

↑ 21.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,596

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$19.2K

Per year

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

Covington, KY

Population:41K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$274K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:121

Median Home:$414K

Covington, KY

The Bluegrass State

41K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 41K 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: Covington, KY vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Covington, KY	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,789/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $999more	55.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,162/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $327more	28.1%
📦Other	$1,537/mo	$1,677/mo	↑ $141more	9.2%
⚡All Utilities	$454/mo	$561/mo	↑ $107more	23.6%
🛒Groceries	$899/mo	$963/mo	↑ $64.37more	7.2%
🏥Healthcare	$551/mo	$589/mo	↑ $37.30more	6.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 55.9%

Covington, KY

$1,789

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$999

🚗Transportation

↑ 28.1%

Covington, KY

$1,162

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$327

📦Other

↑ 9.2%

Covington, KY

$1,537

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$141

⚡All Utilities

↑ 23.6%

Covington, KY

$454

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$107

🛒Groceries

↑ 7.2%

Covington, KY

$899

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$64.37

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.8%

Covington, KY

$551

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$37.30

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Covington, KY: Covington Occupational Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)

Phoenix, AZ has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$796

To$1,390

↑ $594

1 Bed

From$878

To$1,510

↑ $632

2 Bed

From$1,130

To$1,750

↑ $620

3 Bed

From$1,487

To$2,330

↑ $843

Covington, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$1,080/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.

$6,392

Monthly in Covington, KY

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$1,676

Difference

Home Values

Covington

Phoenix

$274K

Median Value

$414K

↑ +2.7%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +33.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$274K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 51% more expensive than Covington

Calculate payment - Covington Calculate payment - Phoenix

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$189

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.5%

Rate difference

Covington, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Covington, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

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

Covington

Phoenix

52 Moderate

Air Quality

77 Moderate

44.8%

Good Air Days

96 High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌡

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

29 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

29 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

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

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New Comparison

You'd spend $1.6K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

Covington, KY

Phoenix, AZ

Covington, KY

Phoenix, AZ

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code39 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Covington, KY

Phoenix, AZ

Additional Tax Information

Covington, KY Tax Rates

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Environment

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ