Denver-Aurora-Centennial vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Cost of Living Comparison

Denver-Aurora-Centennial

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,679
Rent (2BR) -$25,068
Net Income $35,253

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

$58,148

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Denver-Aurora-Centennial 146.1
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Denver-Aurora-Centennial $24,135
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, you'd need:

$84,863

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $4,053 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to Denver-Aurora-Centennial. You'd pay $1,053 less in taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, while housing costs 12% less. The cost of living in Denver-Aurora-Centennial is 46% above avg, while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, making Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial feels like earning $58,148 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 ($15,887 vs $11,297 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Denver-Aurora-Centennial
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Schools
859
1,339
Enrollment
473,957
790,198
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
20.7%
27.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Denver-Aurora-Centennial
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Institutions
46
81
In-State Tuition
$15,887
$11,297
Out-of-State
$22,117
$14,043
Grad Rate
62.0%
52.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver-Aurora-Centennial or Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler more expensive?

Denver-Aurora-Centennial is more expensive with a cost of living index of 146.1 vs 124.3 (national average = 100).

What salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler equals $70,000 in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?

You would need to earn approximately $58,148 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Denver-Aurora-Centennial vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $25,068 in Denver-Aurora-Centennial and $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler—housing is 12% less in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler.