Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Charlotte vs Phoenix
Move Value
−$3k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
6/10
Charlotte: 6/10 → lateral
10-Year Outlook
−$31k
± $88k confidence band
| Charlotte | Phoenix | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $136k | $132k |
| State + local income tax | 4.3% | 2.2% |
| After-tax income | $98k | $98k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 104 | 107 |
| Median 1BR rent | $1733/mo | $1741/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $94k | $91k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 62 · Strong | 56 · Moderate |
| Walkability (0–10) | 5 | 4 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 6 | 8 |
Who should make this move
Choose Phoenix if…
- ·Your field's Career Velocity is at least as good in Phoenix (6/10).
- ·Low cost, low taxes, fast-growing logistics and semiconductor base.
Stay in Charlotte if…
- ·You'd lose $3k of real income annually.
- ·Your 10-year picture is $31k better if you stay.
- ·You're optimizing for what Charlotte uniquely offers: banking capital of the south with a deepening tech bench.
A note on the numbers: Salaries are role-P50 from BLS-style bands. Tax is statutory state + local at ~$110k single. The 10-year outlook uses a 3-year promotion cadence with a small velocity adjustment, 2.5% COL inflation, and discounts to today's dollars. Full assumptions on the methodology page.