City Comparison · 2026
Phoenix vs Indianapolis
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Phoenix = $86k in Indianapolis
Metric
Phoenix
Indianapolis
COL Index
1.12
✓0.96
1BR Monthly Rent
$1,450/mo
✓$1,200/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$1,820/mo
✓$1,500/mo
State Income Tax
AZ
IN
$100k Take-Home
✓$76,236
$75,686
$100k Effective Rate
✓23.76%
24.31%
$100k Savings Potential
$58,836
✓$61,286
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Phoenix AZ | Indianapolis IN |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,748 $4,062/mo · 18.75% eff. | $48,418 $4,035/mo · 19.3% eff. |
| $100,000 | $76,236 $6,353/mo · 23.76% eff. | $75,686 $6,307/mo · 24.31% eff. |
| $150,000 | $109,528 $9,127/mo · 26.98% eff. | $108,703 $9,059/mo · 27.53% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Indianapolis cheaper to live in?
Phoenix has a cost-of-living index of 1.12 while Indianapolis is 0.96 (1.00 = US average). Indianapolis is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Phoenix is $1,450/month vs $1,200/month in Indianapolis.
How much more do you need to earn in Phoenix vs Indianapolis?
$100k in Phoenix = $86k in Indianapolis. Cost of living in Indianapolis is lower by 14.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Phoenix or Indianapolis?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $76,236 in AZ (Phoenix) and $75,686 in IN (Indianapolis). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $58,836 in Phoenix vs $61,286 in Indianapolis.
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