Cost of Living in Santa Cruz County, AZ

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, AZ is $55,217 per year (approximately $4,601 per month).

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $778 for a studio, $860 for one bedroom, $1,129 for two, $1,570 for three and $1,615 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.

Prices there run 0.7% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Arizona is 100.7, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

To keep a $1,129 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $45,160 a year, or $3,763 a month. That is 82% of what the typical household in Santa Cruz County, AZ earns.

On the local median income of $55,217 ($4,601 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,301 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,380 for everything else and $920 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,129 takes 49% of the needs share.

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.