Baltimore-Columbia-Towson vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Cost of Living Comparison

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,392
Rent (2BR) -$22,284
Net Income $37,324

To match your lifestyle in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, you'd need:

$70,526

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson 116.8
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson $31,943
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler $31,624

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$8,626
Rent (2BR) -$22,068
Net Income $39,306

To match your lifestyle in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, you'd need:

$69,490

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $1,982 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to Baltimore-Columbia-Towson. You'd pay $1,766 less in taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, while housing costs 1% less. The cost of living in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson is 17% above avg, while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, making Baltimore-Columbia-Towson the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson feels like earning $70,526 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ($20,839 vs $11,297 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Schools
655
1,339
Enrollment
404,712
790,198
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
5.4%
27.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Institutions
45
81
In-State Tuition
$20,839
$11,297
Out-of-State
$25,544
$14,043
Grad Rate
55.3%
52.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baltimore-Columbia-Towson or Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 116.8 (national average = 100).

What salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler equals $70,000 in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?

You would need to earn approximately $70,526 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,284 in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson and $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler—housing is 1% less in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler.