Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Cost of Living Comparison

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,953
Rent (2BR) -$31,212
Net Income $28,835

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

$47,295

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale 173.0
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale $16,669
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, you'd need:

$107,585

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $10,471 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale. You'd pay $1,327 less in taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, while housing costs 29% less. The cost of living in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale is 73% above avg, while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, making Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale feels like earning $47,295 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 ($21,053 vs $11,297 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Schools
2,529
1,339
Enrollment
1,973,265
790,198
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
2.9%
27.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Institutions
257
81
In-State Tuition
$21,053
$11,297
Out-of-State
$24,543
$14,043
Grad Rate
65.1%
52.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale or Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler more expensive?

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale is more expensive with a cost of living index of 173.0 vs 124.3 (national average = 100).

What salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler equals $70,000 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale?

You would need to earn approximately $47,295 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $31,212 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale and $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler—housing is 29% less in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler.