Indianapolis-Carmel vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Cost of Living Comparison
Indianapolis-Carmel
To match your lifestyle in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, you'd need:
$99,191
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
To match your lifestyle in Indianapolis-Carmel, you'd need:
$50,866
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $3,642 more per year in Indianapolis-Carmel compared to Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler. You'd pay $750 less in taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, while housing costs 25% more. The cost of living in Indianapolis-Carmel is 13% below avg, while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, making Indianapolis-Carmel the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Indianapolis-Carmel feels like earning $99,191 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 ($20,099 vs $11,297 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indianapolis-Carmel or Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler more expensive?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 87.0 (national average = 100).
What salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler equals $70,000 in Indianapolis-Carmel?
You would need to earn approximately $99,191 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Indianapolis-Carmel, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Indianapolis-Carmel vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $17,676 in Indianapolis-Carmel and $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler—housing is 25% more in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler.