Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs Rochester

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 Rochester, you'd need:

$55,912

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Rochester 94.4
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler $31,624
Rochester $43,067

Rochester

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,486
Rent (2BR) -$18,876
Net Income $40,638

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

$88,839

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $1,332 more per year in Rochester compared to Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler. You'd pay $1,860 more in taxes in Rochester, while housing costs 14% less. The cost of living in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, while Rochester is 6% below avg, making Rochester the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler feels like earning $55,912 in Rochester once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Rochester has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ($11,297 vs $24,813 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Rochester
Schools
1,339
283
Enrollment
790,198
155,883
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
27.1%
4.6%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Rochester
Institutions
81
25
In-State Tuition
$11,297
$24,813
Out-of-State
$14,043
$26,435
Grad Rate
52.4%
59.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler or Rochester more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 94.4 (national average = 100).

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

You would need to earn approximately $55,912 in Rochester 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 Rochester?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and $18,876 in Rochester—housing is 14% less in Rochester.