Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Paducah, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 19.0% more expensive than Paducah, KY. This translates to spending an extra $1426 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Paducah, KY, you'd need approximately $167,106.154 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 38.8% more expensive than in Paducah, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $737/month in Paducah, KY.

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

Living in Phoenix, AZ costs approximately $1426 more per month than Paducah, KY, or $17106 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Paducah, KY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Nashville, TN area

Current salary in Paducah, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $167.1K in Phoenix, AZ

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

Overall Cost

↑ 19.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,426

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$17.1K

Per year

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

Paducah, KY

Population:27K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$187K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:119

Median Home:$414K

Paducah, KY

The Bluegrass State

27K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 27K 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: Paducah, KY vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Paducah, KY	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,009/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $780more	38.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,081/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $408more	37.7%
🛒Groceries	$871/mo	$963/mo	↑ $92.25more	10.6%
⚡All Utilities	$476/mo	$561/mo	↑ $84.87more	17.8%
📦Other	$1,635/mo	$1,677/mo	↑ $42.48more	2.6%
🏥Healthcare	$557/mo	$589/mo	↑ $31.47more	5.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 38.8%

Paducah, KY

$2,009

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$780

🚗Transportation

↑ 37.7%

Paducah, KY

$1,081

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$408

🛒Groceries

↑ 10.6%

Paducah, KY

$871

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$92.25

⚡All Utilities

↑ 17.8%

Paducah, KY

$476

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$84.87

📦Other

↑ 2.6%

Paducah, KY

$1,635

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$42.48

🏥Healthcare

↑ 5.6%

Paducah, KY

$557

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$31.47

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Paducah, KY: Paducah Occupational Tax$3,000/yr (2.0%)

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$508

To$1,390

↑ $882

1 Bed

From$590

To$1,510

↑ $920

2 Bed

From$737

To$1,750

↑ $1,013

3 Bed

From$887

To$2,330

↑ $1,443

Paducah, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $720–$930/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.

$6,629

Monthly in Paducah, KY

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$1,439

Difference

Home Values

Paducah

Phoenix

$187K

Median Value

$414K

↑ +4.5%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +35%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$156K - $217K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 122% more expensive than Paducah

Calculate payment - Paducah 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

Paducah, 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

Paducah, 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

Paducah

Phoenix

50 Good

Air Quality

77 Moderate

51.6%

Good Air Days

97 High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌊🫨🌪

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌡

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

42 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

42 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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You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

Paducah, KY

Phoenix, AZ

Paducah, KY

Phoenix, AZ

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code2 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code39 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP2 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Paducah, KY

Phoenix, AZ

Additional Tax Information

Paducah, KY Tax Rates

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Environment

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ