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Boston vs Phoenix: prices, pay and housing
| Boston, MA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 108.3 | 103.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $89,620 | $69,630 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $66,620 | $51,380 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $82,778 | $67,395 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $67,717 | $56,468 |
| Typical home value | $741,868 | $448,352 |
| Median household income | $112,484 | $84,703 |
| Home price / household income | 6.6 | 5.3 |
| Metro population | 4,917,661 | 4,941,206 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Boston to Phoenix
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Boston to Phoenix, multiply your salary by 0.954.
| Salary in Boston | Same buying power in Phoenix |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Boston | $47,714 in Phoenix |
| $75,000 in Boston | $71,571 in Phoenix |
| $100,000 in Boston | $95,428 in Phoenix |
| $150,000 in Boston | $143,142 in Phoenix |
| $200,000 in Boston | $190,856 in Phoenix |
Salaries for common jobs in Boston and Phoenix
| Job | Boston | Phoenix | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $163,800 | $132,100 | $151,294 / $127,860 |
| Retail Salespersons | $40,320 | $38,580 | $37,242 / $37,342 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,740 | $48,550 | $49,637 / $46,992 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,240 | $36,850 | $39,015 / $35,667 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,500 | $44,840 | $42,950 / $43,401 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,230 | $35,560 | $33,464 / $34,419 |
| Registered Nurses | $121,820 | $101,090 | $112,519 / $97,845 |
| Cashiers | $37,260 | $35,960 | $34,415 / $34,806 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,620 | $41,210 | $37,519 / $39,887 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,340 | $53,370 | $41,878 / $51,657 |
| Office Clerks, General | $52,880 | $50,560 | $48,843 / $48,937 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,420 | $59,790 | $59,502 / $57,871 |
| Software Developers | $162,440 | $135,520 | $150,038 / $131,170 |
| Construction Laborers | $71,350 | $48,670 | $65,902 / $47,108 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,900 | $38,120 | $42,396 / $36,897 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Boston vs Phoenix: questions
Is Boston more expensive than Phoenix?
Yes. BEA prices are 108.3 in Boston, MA and 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match $100,000 in Boston?
About $95,428, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Boston or Phoenix?
Boston, MA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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