Arizona · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Phoenix, AZ

Prices around Phoenix, AZ run 3.3% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $81,332 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,839 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $73,560 a year.

Phoenix, AZ at a glance

Median household income

$81,332$6,778 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,839HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)103.3+3.3% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity15.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential AZ
Population1,642,323Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Phoenix, AZ?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,839Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$73,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,033At 30% of $81,332
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Phoenix, AZ? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Phoenix, AZ, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,457$17,484$58,28021.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,583$18,996$63,32023.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,839$22,068$73,56027.1%
3-Bedroom Home$2,452$29,424$98,08036.2%
4-Bedroom Home$2,720$32,640$108,80040.1%

Rent in Phoenix, AZ, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Phoenix, AZ

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $81,332 a year ($6,778 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,389/moRent ($1,839 2-BR), utilities (~$137/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,033/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,356/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $81,332 leaves after Arizona taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Arizona tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$81,332
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$81,332
Net 79%
Fed 11%
AZ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$64,408After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,367Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,477Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,063 / yr
Arizona state income tax$1,640 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,222 / yr

Living in Phoenix, AZ: common questions

What is the median household income in Phoenix, AZ?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Phoenix, AZ is $81,332 per year (approximately $6,778 per month).

What is the average rent in Phoenix, AZ?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,457 for a studio, $1,583 for one bedroom, $1,839 for two, $2,452 for three and $2,720 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Phoenix, AZ expensive to live in?

Prices there run 3.3% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 103.3, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?

To keep a $1,839 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $73,560 a year, or $6,130 a month. That is 90% of what the typical household in Phoenix, AZ earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Phoenix, AZ?

On the local median income of $81,332 ($6,778 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,389 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,033 for everything else and $1,356 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,839 takes 54% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Phoenix, AZ?

Homes in Arizona paid 15.2¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $137. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.