Cost of Living: Tempe, AZ vs West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Tempe

Arizona
120
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Tempe and West Palm Beach have a similar cost of living.

$1,623/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↑ 5%
$77,643/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 11%
$421,900 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 12%
$1,554/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↑ 7%
186,419
Population
119,508

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tempe, AZ and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 120 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $86/month cheaper in Tempe, saving renters about $1,032/year.

Median household income is $8,382/year higher in Tempe. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tempe is $421,900 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tempe vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Tempe or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tempe and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Tempe is $1,623/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $86/month.
Which city has higher income, Tempe or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $77,643 in Tempe and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $8,382/year higher in Tempe.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Florida?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Tempe or West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Tempe has a cost index of 120 with median rent of $1,623/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tempe details → View West Palm Beach details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Tempe and West Palm Beach

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