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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Wilkes-Barre, PA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.7K in Phoenix, AZ

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 18.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,395
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$16.7K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Population:44K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$179K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K
Cost Index:119
Median Home:$414K

Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Keystone State

44K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 44K residents.

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Hot desert

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขFastest growing major city
  • โ€ขDesert metropolis
  • โ€ขSpring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Wilkes-Barre, PA vs Phoenix, AZ

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 55.8%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,790
Phoenix, AZ
$2,788
Difference
$999
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 21.9%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,222
Phoenix, AZ
$1,489
Difference
$267
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 9.9%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,526
Phoenix, AZ
$1,677
Difference
$152
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 5.9%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,024
Phoenix, AZ
$963
Difference
$60.61
less
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 4.5%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$563
Phoenix, AZ
$589
Difference
$25.56
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 0.2%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$562
Phoenix, AZ
$561
Difference
$1.25
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Wilkes-Barre, PA: Wilkes-Barre Earned Income Tax$4,500/yr (3.0%)

Phoenix, AZ has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$581
To$1,390
โ†‘ $809
1 Bed
From$694
To$1,510
โ†‘ $816
2 Bed
From$844
To$1,750
โ†‘ $906
3 Bed
From$1,100
To$2,330
โ†‘ $1,230
Wilkes-Barre, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $890โ€“$1,010/mo

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300โ€“$2,380/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,687
Monthly in Wilkes-Barre, PA
$8,068
Monthly in Phoenix, AZ
$1,381
Difference

Home Values

Wilkes-Barre
Phoenix
$179K
Median Value
$414K
โ†‘ +7.2%
YoY Change
โ†“ -3.1%
โ†‘ +67.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +30.2%
$179K - $180K
Price Range
$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 131% more expensive than Wilkes-Barre

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†“ $628
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$52.32
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.4%
Rate difference

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Pennsylvania State Tax
Effective: 3.1%
$4.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.7%
$41.6K
Take-Home Pay
$9,032/month
$108.4K

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Arizona State Tax
Effective: 3.5%
$5.2K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.2%
$42.2K
Take-Home Pay
$8,979/month
$107.8K

Additional Tax Information

Wilkes-Barre, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%
Property Tax:1.4%

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%
Property Tax:0.6%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Wilkes-Barre
Phoenix
52 Moderate
Air Quality
77 Moderate
47.3%
Good Air Days
9%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒ€
Top Hazards
๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.7ยฐF
22 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
162 days
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.7ยฐF
22 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
162 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Pennsylvania and Arizona on TaxTakeHome.com

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