Cost of living in Phoenix, AZ
5,228,938 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 3.3% above the US average, with housing at 121.2 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $969 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Phoenix, AZ
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2022 childcare prices for Maricopa County, AZ in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $88,301 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $7,358 |
| Taxes | $893 | $1,408 | $813 |
| Take-home pay | $4,107 | $7,759 | $6,545 |
| Housing | $1,493 | $1,734 | $1,734 |
| Childcare | $0 | $1,112 | $2,039 |
| Food | $419 | $939 | $1,219 |
| Transportation | $205 | $409 | $409 |
| Sales tax | $27 | $27 | $27 |
| Other goods & services | $995 | $995 | $995 |
| Left over | $969 | $2,542 | $122 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($88,301). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Phoenix, AZ vs Arizona and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Arizona statewide (light).
Within Arizona, Phoenix, AZ ranks 1st of 7 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 100.7. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,390 | $55,600 | 18.9% |
| 1-bedroom | $1,493 | $59,720 | 20.3% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,734 | $69,360 | 23.6% |
| 3-bedroom | $2,287 | $91,480 | 31.1% |
| 4-bedroom | $2,537 | $101,480 | 34.5% |
FY2027 FMRs for Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ MSA: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $1,702 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Maricopa County, AZ
| Age band | Center, weekly (2022) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2022) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $270 | $17,162 | $180 | $11,442 |
| Toddler (2) | $210 | $13,349 | $171 | $10,898 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $210 | $13,349 | $171 | $10,898 |
| School-age (5–12) | $175 | $11,124 | $150 | $9,535 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 county medians for full-time care in Maricopa County, AZ (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2224, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2022 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Phoenix
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Arizona income tax | $856 | $1,481 | $2,606 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,458 | $5,009 | $7,554 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 17.0% | 19.9% | 24.5% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Phoenix in our data. State sales tax: 5.6% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | — | 103.3 | $1,734 | $969 |
| Prescott Valley, AZ · compare | 72 mi | 98.3 | $1,550 | $1,229 (+$260) |
| Flagstaff, AZ · compare | 115 mi | 100.3 | $1,729 | $916 (−$53) |
| Tucson, AZ · compare | 121 mi | 96.9 | $1,405 | $1,379 (+$410) |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ · compare | 142 mi | 94.1 | $1,229 | $1,512 (+$543) |
| Yuma, AZ · compare | 159 mi | 92.7 | $1,244 | $1,523 (+$554) |
| Sierra Vista, AZ · compare | 173 mi | 89.2 | $1,153 | $1,471 (+$502) |
Common moves to and from Phoenix, AZ
Census ACS metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020), people who moved in a year.
- Tucson, AZ13,066
- Flagstaff, AZ6,763
- Dallas, TX4,969
- Seattle, WA4,843
- Prescott Valley, AZ4,689
- Los Angeles, CA4,140
- Los Angeles, CA14,778
- Tucson, AZ11,189
- Chicago, IL-IN7,602
- Seattle, WA6,069
- San Diego, CA5,688
- Flagstaff, AZ5,445
- Riverside, CA5,208
- Portland, OR-WA4,772
Frequently asked questions
Is Phoenix, AZ expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Phoenix, AZ metro at 103.3 (US = 100) in 2024 — 3.3% above the national average and the 44th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 121.2, goods 95.0.
What salary do you need to live in Phoenix, AZ?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,107 a month after 2026 taxes and has $969 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Phoenix, AZ?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $1,493 for a 1-bedroom and $1,734 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $1,702.
Does Phoenix have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Phoenix in our 2026 data. Arizona state income tax does apply.