Cost of Living in Arizona
Based on 3 cities we track in Arizona.
Cost of living in Arizona is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,253 a month — 5% higher than the $1,191 median across the 28 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $77,041, 7% higher than the $71,716 median across the states we track. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,253
Median Home Value
$364,300
Median Income
$77,041
Avg Temperature
75.1°F
Medians across the Arizona cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
5.6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 2.50%
Cities in Arizona
Compare Arizona with
Arizona cost of living — FAQ
- Is Arizona expensive to live in?
- Arizona is on the pricier side of the 28 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,253 ranks #12 of 28 and is 5% higher than the $1,191 median.
- What is the average rent in Arizona?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Arizona, average rent runs a studio around $1,127, a one-bedroom around $1,253, a two-bedroom around $1,458, a three-bedroom around $1,771 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Arizona?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Arizona is $364,300 — 15% higher than the $317,950 median across the states we track.
- Does Arizona have a state income tax?
- Yes — Arizona's top state income tax rate is 2.50% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 5.6%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Arizona?
- 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. Median household income across the cities we track in Arizona is $77,041.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).