The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Coating: Phoenix vs Nashville

Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.

Phoenix, AZ

$45,820/yr

Take-home$2,787/mo
Disposable$102/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Nashville, TN

$55,030/yr

Take-home$3,348/mo
Disposable$648/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Nashville, TN

Nashville offers $546 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Phoenix

Nashville

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$45,820

$55,030

$9,210

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,787

$3,348

$561

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

100

101

-1 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,685

$2,700

$15

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,550

$1,590

$40

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$102

$648

$546

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.04ร—

1.24ร—

-0.20ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

4/10 (Tight)

-1

A vs B

Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.