2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Tempe, AZ vs Monterey, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Monterey or is it cheaper to live in Tempe?
- Monterey is 34.4% more expensive than Tempe.

Which city has more affordable housing, Monterey or Tempe?
- Monterey housing costs are 141.5% more expensive than Tempe housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Tempe or is Health Care more affordable in Monterey.
- Health related expenses are 55.4% more in Monterey.
 Tempe, AZMonterey, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries98.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing138.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,022,100$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock92.1100
 Miscellaneous105.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Tempe    22 Reviews

Tempe is a very unique case of a College Town that has quickly become a Small College City or a Small City. It used to be where there was small pockets of walkability  More

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Tempe is a small city that definitely has nice areas, nice weather, the people are always good, and it is home of ASU. The Tempe town council has done a good job towards  More

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Over 11 years ago

Lived in Arizona 55 yrs Phoenix /Tempe lost my job and got a offer to keep my job but had to move Fall River MA. I will take the heat over days of cold anytime . January  More

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Reviews for Monterey    21 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

The Monterey city area is an excellent place to live and one of the few California locales where it's relatively safe to raise a family. If I could no longer live here I  More

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I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and had to leave to climb out of poverty. The median income is $35,000 and outside of the military, the jobs are mostly service  More

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My husband and I are just crazy about Monterey. I wonder if we take housing expenses (mortgage or rent) out of the picture, is Monterey still a very expensive city to  More

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