Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs Salt Lake City

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 Salt Lake City, you'd need:

$68,536

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Salt Lake City 118.5
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler $31,624
Salt Lake City $32,530

Salt Lake City

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,496
Rent (2BR) -$20,964
Net Income $38,540

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

$71,493

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $766 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to Salt Lake City. You'd pay $1,870 more in taxes in Salt Lake City, while housing costs 5% less. The cost of living in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, while Salt Lake City is 18% above avg, making Salt Lake City the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler feels like earning $68,536 in Salt Lake City once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Salt Lake City has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ($11,297 vs $15,142 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Salt Lake City
Schools
1,339
340
Enrollment
790,198
237,888
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
27.1%
16.2%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Salt Lake City
Institutions
81
26
In-State Tuition
$11,297
$15,142
Out-of-State
$14,043
$17,639
Grad Rate
52.4%
63.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler or Salt Lake City more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 118.5 (national average = 100).

What salary in Salt Lake City equals $70,000 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

You would need to earn approximately $68,536 in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and $20,964 in Salt Lake City—housing is 5% less in Salt Lake City.