Arizona Cost of Living Calculator
Arizona scores 108.6 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 120.5, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $81,450 here; its highest part is housing at 120.5.
| Index | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 108.6 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 120.5 |
| Groceries | 99.6 |
| Utilities | 102.4 |
| Transportation | 107.1 |
| Health care | 98.0 |
| Other goods and services | 105.5 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
$6,450.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Arizona's figures fill the destination side: composite 108.6 for the salary, housing 120.5 for the rent, and 2.5% flat for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Arizona ranks 13th highest of the 50 states on the composite index (108.6). Median household income: $81,486 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,619 a month.
What Arizona's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Arizona | Rent at the U.S. average → in Arizona | Arizona income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $54,300 | $1,000 → $1,205 | $964 (1.8%) |
| $75,000 | $81,450 | $1,500 → $1,808 | $1,643 (2.0%) |
| $100,000 | $108,600 | $2,000 → $2,410 | $2,321 (2.1%) |
| $150,000 | $162,900 | $2,500 → $3,013 | $3,679 (2.3%) |
Arizona 2026 single-filer rates, after Arizona Department of Revenue — 2025 Form 140 instructions, line 43 (tax year 2025).
Arizona and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Arizona | $1,500 rent there = in Arizona | $75,000 in Arizona = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 140.3 / 192.1 | $58,054 | $941 | $96,892 | 13.3% top rate → 2.5% flat |
| Nevada | 105.4 / 119.0 | $77,277 | $1,519 | $72,790 | none on wages → 2.5% flat |
| New Mexico | 90.2 / 82.4 | $90,299 | $2,194 | $62,293 | 5.9% top rate → 2.5% flat |
| Utah | 98.4 / 102.9 | $82,774 | $1,757 | $67,956 | 4.45% flat → 2.5% flat |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Arizona?
Arizona's composite index is 108.6 for Q2 2026, the 13th highest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $81,450 buys in Arizona.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Arizona?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Arizona's highest part is housing (120.5) and its lowest is health care (98.0); housing, utilities, transportation and other goods and services are above the national average, the other two at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Arizona at 30% of income?
About $64,760 a year: Arizona's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,619 a month, and $19,428 a year is 30% of that salary.