Chicago-Joliet-Naperville vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Cost of Living Comparison

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,706
Rent (2BR) -$21,372
Net Income $37,922

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

$74,180

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville 111.0
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville $34,163
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 Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, you'd need:

$66,142

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $1,384 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to Chicago-Joliet-Naperville. You'd pay $2,080 less in taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, while housing costs 3% more. The cost of living in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville is 11% above avg, while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, making Chicago-Joliet-Naperville the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville feels like earning $74,180 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 ($21,482 vs $11,297 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Schools
2,644
1,339
Enrollment
1,520,725
790,198
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
5.6%
27.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Institutions
170
81
In-State Tuition
$21,482
$11,297
Out-of-State
$22,727
$14,043
Grad Rate
55.4%
52.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago-Joliet-Naperville or Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 111.0 (national average = 100).

What salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler equals $70,000 in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville?

You would need to earn approximately $74,180 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $21,372 in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville and $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler—housing is 3% more in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler.