2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Mason City, IA vs Phoenix, AZ

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or is it cheaper to live in Mason City?
- Phoenix is 54.2% more expensive than Mason City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Phoenix or Mason City?
- Phoenix housing costs are 219.7% more expensive than Mason City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Mason City or is Health Care more affordable in Phoenix.
- Health related expenses are 8.0% less in Phoenix.
 Mason City, IAPhoenix, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock113.0100
 Food & Groceries92.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.5100
 Housing37.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$413,000$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock117.9100
 Miscellaneous101.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Mason City    8 Reviews

I am from the area originally and have lived several places. I recently moved back from Arizona. I moved back to help with my elderly parents. If I did not have  More

   |    Reply

Over 13 years ago

Where to begin?? Murder,arson,abductions,beastialty,gang killings,meth labs,pantie thiefs. High utility bills, no jobs, corrupt police, evil judges, minus 40 below wind  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

Unless you have a tie to Mason City, such as family, don't even consider this desolate town. The population is declining rapidly for a reason. You are on an island,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Mason City

Reviews for Phoenix    449 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

As someone that has worked in Phoenix for close to 20 years now. There is great areas to eat at, great opportunities for premium small businesses to set up shop and even  More

   |    Reply

Over 1 years ago

Phoenix is a city of potential and definitely has a bad reputation that is not completely deserved all throughout the city itself. There is tons of things to do, places  More

   |    Reply

Phoenix has tons of the best places to shop and eat at bar none due to it being the big city. Downtown is definitely underrated. There also is some nice new developments  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Phoenix


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.