Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$138,272
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, you'd need:
$35,266
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $22,507 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $1,327 more in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 96% more. The cost of living in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler feels like earning $138,272 in San Francisco once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, San Francisco has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ($11,297 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 124.3 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
You would need to earn approximately $138,272 in San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 96% more in San Francisco.