Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Ridgewood, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 1.0% more expensive than Ridgewood, NJ. The two cities have very similar living costs.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Ridgewood, NJ, you'd need approximately $150,886.631 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 44.8% more expensive than in Ridgewood, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $2,614/month in Ridgewood, NJ.

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

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

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Ridgewood, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $73.89/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.9K in Phoenix, AZ

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

Overall Cost

↑ 1.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$73.89

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$887

Per year

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

Ridgewood, NJ

Population:26K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.16M

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:101

Median Home:$414K

Ridgewood, NJ

The Garden State

26K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 26K 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: Ridgewood, NJ vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Ridgewood, NJ	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,925/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $863more	44.8%
📦Other	$1,917/mo	$1,677/mo	↓ $239less	12.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$963/mo	↓ $106less	9.9%
🏥Healthcare	$669/mo	$589/mo	↓ $80.39less	12.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,512/mo	$1,489/mo	↓ $23.35less	1.5%
⚡All Utilities	$579/mo	$561/mo	↓ $18.19less	3.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 44.8%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,925

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$863

📦Other

↓ 12.5%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,917

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$239

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.9%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,069

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$106

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.0%

Ridgewood, NJ

$669

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$80.39

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.5%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,512

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$23.35

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.1%

Ridgewood, NJ

$579

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$18.19

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,003

To$1,390

↓ $613

1 Bed

From$2,276

To$1,510

↓ $766

2 Bed

From$2,614

To$1,750

↓ $864

3 Bed

From$3,185

To$2,330

↓ $855

Ridgewood, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,830–$2,830/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.

$7,672

Monthly in Ridgewood, NJ

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$396

Difference

Home Values

Ridgewood

Phoenix

$1.16M

Median Value

$414K

↑ +7.6%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +48.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$1.16M

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 64% less expensive than Ridgewood

Calculate payment - Ridgewood 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

Ridgewood, 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

Ridgewood, 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.