Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Garfield, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 0.5% more expensive than Garfield, NJ. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Garfield, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Garfield, NJ, you'd need approximately $150,441.735 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Garfield, NJ and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 44.1% more expensive than in Garfield, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $1,722/month in Garfield, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Garfield, NJ to Phoenix, AZ?

Garfield, NJ and Phoenix, AZ have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Garfield, NJ vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Garfield, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Garfield, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $36.81/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.4K in Phoenix, AZ

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$36.81

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$442

Per year

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

Garfield, NJ

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$570K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$414K

Garfield, NJ

The Garden State

32K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 32K 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: Garfield, NJ vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Garfield, NJ	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,935/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $854more	44.1%
📦Other	$1,926/mo	$1,677/mo	↓ $249less	12.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,072/mo	$963/mo	↓ $109less	10.1%
🏥Healthcare	$671/mo	$589/mo	↓ $82.03less	12.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,520/mo	$1,489/mo	↓ $30.79less	2.0%
⚡All Utilities	$581/mo	$561/mo	↓ $19.61less	3.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 44.1%

Garfield, NJ

$1,935

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$854

📦Other

↓ 12.9%

Garfield, NJ

$1,926

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$249

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.1%

Garfield, NJ

$1,072

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$109

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.2%

Garfield, NJ

$671

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$82.03

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.0%

Garfield, NJ

$1,520

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$30.79

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.4%

Garfield, NJ

$581

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$19.61

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,317

To$1,390

↑ $73.00

1 Bed

From$1,503

To$1,510

↑ $7.00

2 Bed

From$1,722

To$1,750

↑ $28.00

3 Bed

From$2,101

To$2,330

↑ $229

Garfield, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,860–$1,860/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.

$7,704

Monthly in Garfield, NJ

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$364

Difference

Home Values

Garfield

Phoenix

$570K

Median Value

$414K

↑ +1.3%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +32.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$570K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 27% less expensive than Garfield

Calculate payment - Garfield Calculate payment - Phoenix

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.2K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$183

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.5%

Rate difference

Garfield, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Garfield, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.