Moving from St. Louis to Phoenix?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Phoenix, you'd need to earn:
$81,477/year
▲ $6,477 more than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $81,477 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$9,539 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$5,052 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,181 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$2,037 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $63,668 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +8.6% in Phoenix
- Housing is +53.4% in Phoenix
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $1,474/year in taxes in Phoenix
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~1,270 miles
DIY Truck
$4,000
Container
$6,500
Full-Service
$9,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Phoenix
| Your St. Louis Salary | Phoenix Equivalent | Difference | Phoenix Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $43,454 | +$3,454 | $35,867 |
| $50,000 | $54,318 | +$4,318 | $44,325 |
| $60,000 | $65,182 | +$5,182 | $52,612 |
| $75,000 | $81,477 | +$6,477 | $63,668 |
| $100,000 | $108,636 | +$8,636 | $82,096 |
| $150,000 | $162,954 | +$12,954 | $118,058 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Phoenix Compare
Housing (53% more expensive in Phoenix)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Phoenix rents for $1,195/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $460,000 in Phoenix vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. Arizona has a flat 2.5% state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Phoenix would save you about $1,474/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Phoenix's overall cost of living is 8.6% higher than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Phoenix: 103.3.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to Phoenix move. Average cost: $4,000–$9,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Phoenix
Average 1BR rent in Phoenix: $1,195/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →