How Much Salary You Need as a Single Person in These 25 Arizona Cities
Written by
Nicole Spector
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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Arizona has long held strong appeal for those who like warm — and even very hot — weather, tons of nature to explore and a relatively laid-back lifestyle. But the state is becoming even more popular for new residents, which tends to drive up the cost of living.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 282,729 people moved to Arizona in 2022, while 204,970 people moved away, making for a net migration of 77,759 people — the highest estimated in-migration number since at least 2010. With its popularity building, Arizona prices are climbing. For example, the average Arizona home value is $431,492 — up 2.4% year over year, according to Zillow.
It all makes you wonder: How much do you need to survive in Arizona as a single person? And, separately, how much do you need to live in Arizona comfortably?
In a new study, GOBankingRates found the minimum salary needed for a number of Arizona cities, using the 50/30/20 rule, which states that needs should not exceed 50% of your household income. GOBankingRates ranked 25 cities where you need the highest salary to get by. The states are sorted below from the city where you need to make the most to the city where you need the least.
Show Low
- Household median income: $57,406
- Total annual cost of living: $51,111
- Salary needed to survive: $51,111
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $102,221
Sun City West
- Household median income: $61,941
- Total annual cost of living: $50,575
- Salary needed to survive: $50,575
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $101,149
Avondale
- Household median income: $76,496
- Total annual cost of living: $50,413
- Salary needed to survive: $50,413
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $100,827
Cottonwood
- Household median income: $43,273
- Total annual cost of living: $50,014
- Salary needed to survive: $50,014
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $100,029
El Mirage
- Household median income: $72,134
- Total annual cost of living: $48,685
- Salary needed to survive: $48,685
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $97,369
Apache Junction
- Household median income: $56,209
- Total annual cost of living: $48,188
- Salary needed to survive: $48,188
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $96,376
Maricopa
- Household median income: $88,795
- Total annual cost of living: $47,787
- Salary needed to survive: $47,787
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $95,573
Sahuarita
- Household median income: $97,133
- Total annual cost of living: $46,916
- Salary needed to survive: $46,916
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $93,832
Sun City
- Household median income: $51,263
- Total annual cost of living: $45,699
- Salary needed to survive: $45,699
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $91,399
Florence
- Household median income: $74,025
- Total annual cost of living: $45,061
- Salary needed to survive: $45,061
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $90,123
Tucson
- Household median income: $52,049
- Total annual cost of living: $44,584
- Salary needed to survive: $44,584
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $89,168
Casa Grande
- Household median income: $64,535
- Total annual cost of living: $43,607
- Salary needed to survive: $43,607
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $87,213
Bullhead City
- Household median income: $47,129
- Total annual cost of living: $43,095
- Salary needed to survive: $43,095
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $86,190
Green Valley
- Household median income: $57,785
- Total annual cost of living: $42,888
- Salary needed to survive: $42,888
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $85,776
Yuma
- Household median income: $59,312
- Total annual cost of living: $42,357
- Salary needed to survive: $42,357
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $84,715
Coolidge
- Household median income: $60,682
- Total annual cost of living: $41,005
- Salary needed to survive: $41,005
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $82,009
Somerton
- Household median income: $64,180
- Total annual cost of living: $40,780
- Salary needed to survive: $40,780
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $81,561
Sierra Vista
- Household median income: $70,899
- Total annual cost of living: $40,527
- Salary needed to survive: $40,527
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $81,053
San Luis
- Household median income: $46,747
- Total annual cost of living: $39,825
- Salary needed to survive: $39,825
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $79,651
Kingman
- Household median income: $56,360
- Total annual cost of living: $39,414
- Salary needed to survive: $39,414
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $78,828
Eloy
- Household median income: $57,364
- Total annual cost of living: $39,020
- Salary needed to survive: $39,020
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $78,041
Rio Rico
- Household median income: $62,537
- Total annual cost of living: $38,161
- Salary needed to survive: $38,161
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $76,323
Safford
- Household median income: $64,860
- Total annual cost of living: $36,614
- Salary needed to survive: $36,614
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $73,228
Nogales
- Household median income: $36,682
- Total annual cost of living: $33,056
- Salary needed to survive: $33,056
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $66,113
Douglas
- Household median income: $41,594
- Total annual cost of living: $30,406
- Salary needed to survive: $30,406
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $60,811
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Arizona to find the salary needed for a single person. First, GOBankingRates found cities in Arizona by using the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each city on the list, a number of factors were found, including: total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income, all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using this data, the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. Using the cost-of-living indexes and the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for single people, the expenditure cost for single people in each location can be calculated. The average single family home value was sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index for August 2024. Using the average single family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30 year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total monthly and annual cost of living can be calculated. To qualify for this study, the city had to have a population of at least 10,000 and have data for all points included. The minimum salary needed is the cost of living for each city, while the salary needed to live comfortably is calculated using the 50/30/20 rule that states that needs should not exceed 50% of the household income. The salaries needed to live comfortably were sorted to show the lowest to highest salary needed. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 27, 2024.
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