Is Phoenix expensive to live in?

Phoenix is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,253 per month ranks #25 of 50 and is about the same as the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Phoenix?

Average rent in Phoenix, AZ runs a studio around $1,127, a one-bedroom around $1,253, a two-bedroom around $1,493, a three-bedroom around $1,771 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Phoenix?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,253 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year. The median household income here is $77,041.

How much does it cost to live in Phoenix per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Phoenix is about $1,430 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

A view of a city with tall buildings — Phoenix, AZ

Cost of Living in Phoenix, AZ

Population 1,608,139 · Arizona

~$1,430/mo est.1BR $1,253Home $381,900

Photo: Nils Huenerfuerst / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Phoenix, AZ is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,253 a month — about the same as the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,127 and two-bedrooms $1,493.

Median household income here is $77,041, about the same as the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,430 before food and transport. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,253

Studio

$1,127

1 Bedroom

$1,253

2 Bedroom

$1,493

3 Bedroom

$1,771

Buying a Home$381,900

Median Home Value

$381,900

Income$77,041

Median Household Income

$77,041

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.37

Bread (lb)

$2.10

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.6¢/kWh

Electricity

15.6¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$19.69/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$5.57/gal

Regular Gasoline (West Coast (PADD 5))

$5.57/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.00

Base Fare (Valley Metro)

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (AZ)5.6% sales

State Sales Tax

5.60%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 2.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime799.6 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

799.6

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,338.9

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Phoenix Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 34.8 yrs

Median Age

34.8 yrs

Homeownership

57.1%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.3%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Climate75.1°F

Avg Annual Temperature

75.1°F

Annual Precipitation

8.2 in

Phoenix cost of living — FAQ

Is Phoenix expensive to live in?: Phoenix is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,253 per month ranks #25 of 50 and is about the same as the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Phoenix?: Average rent in Phoenix, AZ runs a studio around $1,127, a one-bedroom around $1,253, a two-bedroom around $1,493, a three-bedroom around $1,771 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Phoenix?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,253 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year. The median household income here is $77,041.
How much does it cost to live in Phoenix per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Phoenix is about $1,430 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Phoenix with nearby cities

Phoenix vs Mesa Phoenix vs Tucson Phoenix vs Las Vegas Phoenix vs San Diego Phoenix vs Albuquerque Phoenix vs Santa Ana

Nearby cities

Mesa, AZ 14 mi Tucson, AZ 106 mi Las Vegas, NV 256 mi San Diego, CA 299 mi Albuquerque, NM 330 mi Santa Ana, CA 334 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.