Cost of Living: Boston vs Phoenix
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Boston compared to Phoenix?
In Boston, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $72K in Phoenix. That means Phoenix offers 38% more spending power. Your money goes further in Phoenix.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Phoenix
$72K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $72K in Phoenix vs $100K in Boston
Boston
83.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Phoenix
60.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Phoenix is 28% cheaper than Boston
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Boston and Phoenix, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Boston median | Phoenix median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $153K | $113K | roughly equal |
| Cloud Architect | $116K | $94K | Phoenix wins by 12% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $141K | $120K | Phoenix wins by 18% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $71K | $72K | Phoenix wins by 39% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122K | $95K | Phoenix wins by 8% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.72x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Boston vs Phoenix?
A: Boston is approximately 38% more expensive than Phoenix, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Phoenix is equivalent to about $138K in Boston. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Boston to match $100,000 in Phoenix?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Phoenix, you would need approximately $138K in Boston. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Boston and Phoenix?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, roughly equal when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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