Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, you'd need:

$70,008

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 124.3
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater 123.5
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler $31,624
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater $31,619

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$23,724
Net Income $39,035

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

$69,992

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $271 more per year in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compared to Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater. You'd pay $1,385 less in taxes in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, while housing costs 8% more. The cost of living in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, while Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater is 23% above avg, making Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler feels like earning $70,008 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ($11,297 vs $15,250 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Schools
1,339
589
Enrollment
790,198
415,023
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
27.1%
15.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Institutions
81
41
In-State Tuition
$11,297
$15,250
Out-of-State
$14,043
$16,986
Grad Rate
52.4%
60.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler or Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater more expensive?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 123.5 (national average = 100).

What salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater equals $70,000 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?

You would need to earn approximately $70,008 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater 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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and $23,724 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater—housing is 8% more in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater.