Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs Pittsburgh

Cost of Living Comparison

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$8,626
Rent (2BR) -$22,068
Net Income $39,306

To match your lifestyle in Pittsburgh, you'd need:

$43,054

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Pittsburgh 72.6
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler $31,624
Pittsburgh $62,006

Pittsburgh

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,390
Rent (2BR) -$15,588
Net Income $45,022

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

$120,151

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $5,716 more per year in Pittsburgh compared to Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler. You'd pay $764 more in taxes in Pittsburgh, while housing costs 29% less. The cost of living in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, while Pittsburgh is 27% below avg, making Pittsburgh the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler feels like earning $43,054 in Pittsburgh once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Pittsburgh has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ($11,297 vs $20,861 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Pittsburgh
Schools
1,339
553
Enrollment
790,198
300,597
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
27.1%
4.8%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Pittsburgh
Institutions
81
67
In-State Tuition
$11,297
$20,861
Out-of-State
$14,043
$23,113
Grad Rate
52.4%
63.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler or Pittsburgh more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 72.6 (national average = 100).

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

You would need to earn approximately $43,054 in Pittsburgh to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs Pittsburgh?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and $15,588 in Pittsburgh—housing is 29% less in Pittsburgh.