Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Galveston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 17.8% more expensive than Galveston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $1336 per month.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Galveston, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Galveston, TX, you'd need approximately $166,037.785 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Galveston, TX and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 55.8% more expensive than in Galveston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $1,215/month in Galveston, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Galveston, TX to Phoenix, AZ?

Living in Phoenix, AZ costs approximately $1336 more per month than Galveston, TX, or $16038 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Galveston, TX vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Galveston, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Houston, TX area

Current salary in Galveston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.0K in Phoenix, AZ

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

Overall Cost

↑ 17.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,336

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$16.0K

Per year

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

Galveston, TX

Population:53K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$285K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:118

Median Home:$414K

Galveston, TX

The Lone Star State

53K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 53K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

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: Galveston, TX vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Galveston, TX	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,790/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $999more	55.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,316/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $173more	13.2%
🛒Groceries	$868/mo	$963/mo	↑ $95.04more	10.9%
📦Other	$1,605/mo	$1,677/mo	↑ $72.80more	4.5%
🏥Healthcare	$535/mo	$589/mo	↑ $53.21more	9.9%
⚡All Utilities	$526/mo	$561/mo	↑ $34.86more	6.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 55.8%

Galveston, TX

$1,790

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$999

🚗Transportation

↑ 13.2%

Galveston, TX

$1,316

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$173

🛒Groceries

↑ 10.9%

Galveston, TX

$868

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$95.04

📦Other

↑ 4.5%

Galveston, TX

$1,605

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$72.80

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.9%

Galveston, TX

$535

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$53.21

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.6%

Galveston, TX

$526

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$34.86

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$988

To$1,390

↑ $402

1 Bed

From$1,022

To$1,510

↑ $488

2 Bed

From$1,215

To$1,750

↑ $535

3 Bed

From$1,636

To$2,330

↑ $694

Galveston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,160–$1,390/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.

$6,640

Monthly in Galveston, TX

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$1,428

Difference

Home Values

Galveston

Phoenix

$285K

Median Value

$414K

↓ -8.2%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +22.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$241K - $512K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 45% more expensive than Galveston

Calculate payment - Galveston Calculate payment - Phoenix

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $5.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$436

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.5%

Rate difference

Galveston, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Galveston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

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

Galveston

Phoenix

61 Moderate

Air Quality

77 Moderate

13.7%

Good Air Days

100 Very High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌊🌅🌀

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌡

▲+2.2°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

64 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

▲+2.2°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

64 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Galveston, TX on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

Galveston, TX

Phoenix, AZ

Galveston, TX

Phoenix, AZ

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code4 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code39 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Galveston, TX

Phoenix, AZ

Additional Tax Information

Galveston, TX Tax Rates

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ