Boston-Cambridge-Quincy vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Cost of Living Comparison

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$35,292
Net Income $27,467

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

$49,997

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy 148.2
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy $18,528
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 Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, you'd need:

$94,890

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $11,839 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to Boston-Cambridge-Quincy. You'd pay $1,385 more in taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, while housing costs 37% less. The cost of living in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy is 48% above avg, while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, making Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy feels like earning $49,997 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 ($31,757 vs $11,297 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Schools
1,212
1,339
Enrollment
654,483
790,198
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
4.7%
27.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Institutions
95
81
In-State Tuition
$31,757
$11,297
Out-of-State
$34,142
$14,043
Grad Rate
63.1%
52.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston-Cambridge-Quincy or Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler more expensive?

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy is more expensive with a cost of living index of 148.2 vs 124.3 (national average = 100).

What salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler equals $70,000 in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy?

You would need to earn approximately $49,997 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $35,292 in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy and $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler—housing is 37% less in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler.