Side-by-side · Software Engineer
New York vs Phoenix
Move Value
+$33k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
6/10
NYC: 9/10 → regression
10-Year Outlook
+$339k
± $165k confidence band
| New York | Phoenix | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $167k | $132k |
| State + local income tax | 9.0% | 2.2% |
| After-tax income | $109k | $98k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 187 | 107 |
| Median 1BR rent | $3406/mo | $1741/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $59k | $91k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 9/10 | 6/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 69 · Strong | 56 · Moderate |
| Walkability (0–10) | 10 | 4 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 4 | 8 |
Who should make this move
Choose Phoenix if…
- ·You want $33k more real income per year on day one.
- ·Your 10-year picture lands $339k ahead.
- ·Low cost, low taxes, fast-growing logistics and semiconductor base.
Stay in New York if…
- ·Career Velocity is higher in NYC (9/10 vs 6/10) for your field.
- ·You're optimizing for what NYC uniquely offers: the career accelerator with the highest price of admission.
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.