Cost of Living- Pheonix vs. Manhattan

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 5, 2008

I'll just take a wild guess and say that Phoenix's cost of living is way, way, way less than Manhattan.

Phoenix is large. It's no NYC but it's a big city in it's own right and I think you'll find lots of cool stuff to do.

MsBruiser · May 5, 2008

At first I thought you were joking with this post...

I am from NYC. There is nothing comparable in terms of cost of living between Scottsdale and Manhattan. In fact, you can live in Phoenix just outside of Scottsdale in a great part of town and live even cheaper. Buying a house in Scottsdale is not the cheapest - but it certainly is less than most suburbs of NY. In fact, it is the low cost of living that keeps me from moving back East.

Phoenix is no NYC. Not even close. But if you like it - you can make a very good life for yourself.

Starting salary for RNs in Phoenix average around $50,000 a year. With mandatory classes, extra hours, and some overtime you can easily hit $60,000 without breaking a sweat.

Where in NY did you grow up.

mcbismark · May 6, 2008

Use the online cost of living comparison utilities.

Here is one...

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · May 6, 2008

And when we say the Phoenix is big, we mean BIG as in we like to build out, not up ....... it can easily take you 2 hours to get from one side of the valley to the other.

As far as night life goes, check out Tempe and Scottsdale.

amj1979 · May 6, 2008

At first I thought you were joking with this post...
I am from NYC. There is nothing comparable in terms of cost of living between Scottsdale and Manhattan. In fact, you can live in Phoenix just outside of Scottsdale in a great part of town and live even cheaper. Buying a house in Scottsdale is not the cheapest - but it certainly is less than most suburbs of NY. In fact, it is the low cost of living that keeps me from moving back East.
Phoenix is no NYC. Not even close. But if you like it - you can make a very good life for yourself.
Starting salary for RNs in Phoenix average around $50,000 a year. With mandatory classes, extra hours, and some overtime you can easily hit $60,000 without breaking a sweat.
Where in NY did you grow up.

I grew up in Jersey...but right outside Manhattan....Secaucus...then moved to Manhattan..then moved out to Hoboken in Jersey. I am def planning on moving, either to San Diego or Pheonix but I am so worried that as much as I want to leave NY, the culture shock and cut in pay is going to be an adjustment. I tried living near Detroit a few years ago and couldn't take it! But NY has lost its oomph to me since I've been here so long. I need to see different things!

Starting salary for RN's here is averaging $68K.

MsBruiser · May 8, 2008

I grew up in Jersey...but right outside Manhattan....Secaucus...then moved to Manhattan..then moved out to Hoboken in Jersey. I am def planning on moving, either to San Diego or Pheonix but I am so worried that as much as I want to leave NY, the culture shock and cut in pay is going to be an adjustment. I tried living near Detroit a few years ago and couldn't take it! But NY has lost its oomph to me since I've been here so long. I need to see different things!
Starting salary for RN's here is averaging $68K.

I went to the cost of living calculator listed on this website. If my wife and I moved from Phoenix to Queens, NY we would need a 75% increase in our family income. Don't let the starting salaries throw you off. Housing is much, much cheaper in Phoenix than NY. If you want a cool urban environment by the ocean, San Diego is for you (check out the Hillcrest area - just like Greenwich Village if you catch my drift). But the cost of living is much higher than Phoenix. If you want a more suburban environment - try phoenix.