Cost of Living Comparison between Springfield, IL vs Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona going out to eat at a restaurant and buying food is considered to be affordable. Make sure you take this into account as you plan your overall cost of living in Phoenix, AZ. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

If you love sports, you will love Phoenix, AZ! Since there are football, baseball, basketball, hockey teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in Phoenix, AZ, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In Phoenix, AZ, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. This price can vary a lot if the distance is greater and depending on how much is being moved. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Make sure you budget for these types of expenses and include them in the first year’s cost of living at your new location. Finally, although there is no dollar cost, is the stress of moving, which will increase if you have children or pets. Make sure you prepare in advance for what additional TLC those kids and pets will need to have a good move. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The estimated average annual cost for child care in Phoenix, Arizona (based on state average), is $9437. This cost is ranked NO. 26 nationally. Some employers have company provided day care centers that let you bring your child to work with you and receive care on site. Some colleges and universities with Childhood Education programs also may have day care centers available at reduced costs, so you should explore those possibilities to see if you can reduce your child care expense. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

In Phoenix,AZ, the median rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $852, and for a 2 bedroom apartment is $1061. In general, in the past year, rental costs in Phoenix have increased by approximately 3.6%. Since rental expense makes up a significant part of the cost of living, you should consider this expense and how it might change when you calculate your cost of living in a new city. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Looks for areas of Phoenix, Arizona where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Phoenix, AZ to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Overall, the time and ease of your driving times will impact your cost of living, since driving in heavy and slow moving traffic uses a lot of gas. Phoenix, Arizona has an ease of driving ranking of 44 and is considered pretty good overall for commuters. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

In Phoenix, AZ, the average commute time is about 30.51 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The weather in Phoenix is ideal. Based on data collected by NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Phoenix is considered to have one of the most favorable climates in the country based on comfort and number of days with clear skies. You will enjoy living in Phoenix, Arizona. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )