Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs St. Louis

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 St. Louis, you'd need:

$43,314

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
St. Louis 80.6
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler $31,624
St. Louis $59,741

St. Louis

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$14,616
Net Income $48,143

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

$116,320

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $8,837 more per year in St. Louis compared to Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler. You'd pay $1,385 less in taxes in St. Louis, while housing costs 34% less. The cost of living in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, while St. Louis is 19% below avg, making St. Louis the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler feels like earning $43,314 in St. Louis once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, St. Louis has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ($11,297 vs $19,651 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
St. Louis
Schools
1,339
840
Enrollment
790,198
404,672
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
27.1%
3.9%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
St. Louis
Institutions
81
53
In-State Tuition
$11,297
$19,651
Out-of-State
$14,043
$21,015
Grad Rate
52.4%
56.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler or St. Louis more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 80.6 (national average = 100).

What salary in St. Louis equals $70,000 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

You would need to earn approximately $43,314 in St. Louis 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 St. Louis?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and $14,616 in St. Louis—housing is 34% less in St. Louis.