Milwaukee-Waukesha vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Cost of Living Comparison

Milwaukee-Waukesha

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,863
Rent (2BR) -$16,056
Net Income $44,081

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

$95,123

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Milwaukee-Waukesha 94.0
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Milwaukee-Waukesha $46,884
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, you'd need:

$51,653

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $4,775 more per year in Milwaukee-Waukesha compared to Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler. You'd pay $1,237 less in taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, while housing costs 37% more. The cost of living in Milwaukee-Waukesha is 6% below avg, while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, making Milwaukee-Waukesha the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha feels like earning $95,123 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 ($24,833 vs $11,297 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Milwaukee-Waukesha
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Schools
457
1,339
Enrollment
228,263
790,198
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
13.6%
27.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Milwaukee-Waukesha
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Institutions
25
81
In-State Tuition
$24,833
$11,297
Out-of-State
$25,925
$14,043
Grad Rate
56.1%
52.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Milwaukee-Waukesha or Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 94.0 (national average = 100).

What salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler equals $70,000 in Milwaukee-Waukesha?

You would need to earn approximately $95,123 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Milwaukee-Waukesha vs Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $16,056 in Milwaukee-Waukesha and $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler—housing is 37% more in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler.