Cost of living in Phoenix, AZ Livability score 62 · cost-of-living index 104.7 (US = 100)
How Phoenix compares Where Phoenix falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 105 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 105 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $448k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $448k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $242 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $242 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 8.4% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 8.4% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.51% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.51% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 430 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 430 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 15.5 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 15.5 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 104° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 104° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 41° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 41° Map of Phoenix Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 104.7 #170 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 98.4 #146 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.96 #170 of 200 Median household income $79,935 #60 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $43,713 #55 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 4.88% #82 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +6.7% #59 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $448,352 #156 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 5.6× #145 of 200 1-yr home appreciation -1.7% #169 of 200 Price per square foot $242 #153 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,850 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,742 #126 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 26,582 Median days on market 31 #154 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 9.5% #65 of 200 Combined sales tax 8.38% #135 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 2.50% Capital gains tax 2.50% #45 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 0.51% #18 of 200 Median property tax paid $1,847 #54 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,300 #17 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,500 #128 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $260 #171 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.68% of value (~$470/yr) #165 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in Phoenix and Tucson metro areas DMV & license offices 28 Avg commute to work 27 min #148 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 15.5¢/kWh #61 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $139 #61 of 200 Gasoline $3.60/gal #159 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,800 #100 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,900 #86 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $550 #7 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 86 #199 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 4,000 #196 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 1,200 #20 of 200 Avg summer high 104°F #198 of 200 Avg winter low 41°F #43 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 9a Frost window 02-10 → 12-15
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 430 #111 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,600 #157 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 64 #100 of 200 Parks 79 Hiking areas 41 Golf courses 40 Shooting ranges 29 Lakes 25
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.