Cost of living in Arizona

Everyday prices in Arizona run 0.7% above the US average, the 35th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein, founder of Slower Sundays. Updated November 2026.

1% pricierEveryday prices¹35th lowest of 51
$459,900Typical home^2,3$2,527/mo mortgage
$1,699/mo2-bed rent⁴Utilities included
$134,161$150K in New York¹Buys the same life in Arizona

Arizona next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.^1,4,2,3

ArizonaUnited StatesNew York metro

Everyday prices
1% pricier than averageUS average · New York metro 13% pricier
Housing, rent included
7% pricier than averageUS average · New York metro 49% pricier
2-bedroom rent$1,699/mo
9% more than the USUS $1,563 · New York metro $1,997
Typical home for sale$459,900
10% more than the USUS $419,250 · New York metro $742,000Mortgage $2,527/mo, US $2,304, New York metro $4,078. 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32%.

How affordable is Arizona?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.⁶

$86,570

Typical household incomeA year · 26th highest of 51

24%

Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,699/mo) against median income ($86,570). 47th lowest of 51.

5.3

Years of income to buy a home$459,900 median listing against $86,570 income. 34th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Arizona?

31,107 more people moved to Arizona from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

YearLeftArrivedNet moves
2019-20+105,434
2020-21+84,233
2021-22+68,315
2022-23+34,804
2023-24+34,303
2024-25+31,107

Where Americans are moving⁵

Metro areas in Arizona

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.^1,4,2

Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier

Arizona next to its neighbors

The states that border Arizona, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.^1,4,2

15New Mexico8% cheaper than average
2-bed rent
$1,133
Typical home
$399,475
Net moves
-2,267
31Utah1% cheaper than average
2-bed rent
$1,579
Typical home
$579,000
Net moves
+3,343
34NevadaAbout the US average
2-bed rent
$1,644
Typical home
$480,000
Net moves
+14,914
35ArizonaThis state1% pricier than average
2-bed rent
$1,699
Typical home
$459,900
Net moves
+31,107

Show 2 more

Arizona by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Arizona next to New York and the US

Place	Price level	Housing	Typical home	Monthly payment	2-bedroom rent
Arizona	100.7	106.8	$459,900	$2,527	$1,699
United States	100.0	100.0	$419,250	$2,304	$1,563
New York metro	112.6	148.6	$742,000	$4,078	$1,997

Metro areas in Arizona

Metro	Price level	2-bedroom rent	Typical home
Tucson, AZ	96.9	$1,377	$372,500
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	103.3	$1,825	$475,000

Arizona next to its neighbors

State	Price level	2-bedroom rent	Typical home	Net moves from other states
Arizona	100.7	$1,699	$459,900	+31,107
California	110.7	$2,239	$725,000	-229,077
Colorado	103.1	$1,900	$564,000	-12,100
New Mexico	92.2	$1,133	$399,475	-2,267
Nevada	100.0	$1,644	$480,000	+14,914
Utah	98.9	$1,579	$579,000	+3,343

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)	Net moves from other states
2019-20	+105,434
2020-21	+84,233
2021-22	+68,315
2022-23	+34,804
2023-24	+34,303
2024-25	+31,107

States with a similar cost of living to Arizona

Keep comparing

Arizona cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Arizona?

Everyday prices in Arizona run 0.7% above the US average, the 35th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 106.8 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $459,900 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $2,527 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,699 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $134,161 in Arizona.

Is Arizona cheap or expensive to live in?

More expensive than average. Arizona's regional price parity is 100.7, 0.7% above the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Arizona?

The median listed home in Arizona is $459,900 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 32nd lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $2,527 a month.

How much is rent in Arizona?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Arizona is $1,699 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Arizona equals $150,000 in New York?

About $134,161, using BEA regional price parities for Arizona (100.7) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Arizona?

31,107 more people moved to Arizona from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers

1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.

Sources for this page