Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler vs Tucson
Cost of Living Comparison
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
To match your lifestyle in Tucson, you'd need:
$53,142
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
Tucson
To match your lifestyle in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, you'd need:
$92,850
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $5,244 more per year in Tucson compared to Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler. You'd pay $0 less in taxes in Tucson, while housing costs 24% less. The cost of living in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is 24% above avg, while Tucson is 2% below avg, making Tucson the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler feels like earning $53,142 in Tucson once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Tucson has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Tucson ($11,297 vs $9,264 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler or Tucson more expensive?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is more expensive with a cost of living index of 124.3 vs 97.9 (national average = 100).
What salary in Tucson equals $70,000 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
You would need to earn approximately $53,142 in Tucson 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 Tucson?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,068 in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and $16,824 in Tucson—housing is 24% less in Tucson.