Cost of Living in Phoenix

If you’re considering a move to Phoenix, you’ll need to draw up a budget and calculate your projected monthly expenses to establish whether relocation makes financial sense for you and your family. The cost of living in Phoenix sits about 3 percent higher than the US national average but slightly lower than the Arizona state average. Phoenix isn’t necessarily regarded as an expensive city, and the quality of life is a major drawcard for newcomers.

Most people can afford to live fairly well on an average salary. That said, wage growth tends to be a little slower than the national rate. It’s therefore quite important to consider the cost of living alongside your potential job opportunities in the city, as well as your lifestyle preferences and family circumstances.

Cost of accommodation in Phoenix

The cost of housing in Phoenix is about 15 percent higher than the national average and will usually take up the largest portion of your monthly budget. You’ll find that Phoenix residents tend to get good value for money in terms of the size and quality of properties, and the higher cost is generally worth it for most residents.

Property investors have seen huge investment potential in Phoenix, which accounts for much of the constant development taking place throughout the city. Although the population in Phoenix is steadily increasing, this isn’t at such an intense rate that it is putting pressure on the property market. This positively impacts renters, as it allows you a little scope for negotiation when it comes to agreeing on a rental price, with some areas even seeing slight decreases in rental rates over the past year.

Renting Accommodation in Phoenix

Cost of transport in Phoenix

Although public transport fares in Phoenix are much more reasonable than in other US cities that have more sophisticated transport infrastructure, the networks only cover the downtown area sufficiently. They are geared more towards visitors to Phoenix rather than commuting residents. While there are ongoing improvements to the public transport offerings in Phoenix, including the recent opening of a new light rail extension, at present, public transport remains inadequate for many residents.

Taxi rates in Phoenix have become increasingly competitive since e-hailing services became better established in the city. Still, using taxis regularly isn’t a viable way to get around Phoenix, especially with the vast distances you are expected to cover on a daily basis.

Owning a car is an expense that you can’t really avoid as a Phoenix resident, but you’ll find that purchasing a car in Phoenix is pretty affordable, and petrol (gas) is also relatively cheap. That said, when you consider the average Phoenix commute of nearly 30 minutes each way, it’s easy to see how car maintenance costs, monthly insurance premiums, and petrol expenses can quickly mount.

Public Transport and Driving in Phoenix

Cost of groceries in Phoenix

The cost of groceries in Phoenix shows a more moderate rise than the national average. If you’re looking to reduce the cost of your grocery basket, consider purchasing seasonal produce and staying away from brand names and imported products, as these tend to be pricier.

Buying bulk at national wholesale retailers like Costco is another way to save on groceries. WinCo Foods and Aldi are widely regarded as the most affordable supermarket options in Phoenix, with Fry’s – the largest grocery chain in the area with – offering competitive prices as well. For more premium speciality products, shops such as AJ’s Fine Foods remain popular among Phoenix residents.

For the freshest produce at reasonable prices, consider checking out one of the farmers markets managed by Arizona Community Farmers Markets.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in Phoenix

When you arrive in Phoenix, you’ll discover that the city caters for a range of tastes in terms of lifestyle, arts, culture, nightlife and eating out. The cost of a night out depends mostly on your preferences, but even if you’re keen to stick to a tight budget, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to have a good time in Phoenix without breaking the bank.

Many of the city’s attractions can be experienced at little to no cost. Phoenix’s famously great weather is conducive to outdoor pursuits such as exploring the city’s various gardens, parks, reserves and hiking trails. Desert hikes and museum visits to places like the Heard or Phoenix Art Museum rank among the highest-rated free activities by both locals and visitors.

Although Phoenix’s culinary scene has grown steadily, it remains remarkably unpretentious. The number of fine dining restaurants is relatively small compared to cities with stronger gastronomic traditions, such as New York or Los Angeles. You can eat very well for a reasonable price in Phoenix, as local chefs often promote local produce.

Lifestyle in Phoenix

Cost of education in Phoenix

If you’re a parent moving to Phoenix, you’ll of course need to factor in the cost of your children’s education. Much of these costs will depend on which schooling option you choose.

Some excellent public schools in Phoenix, including several charter and magnet schools, come at little to no cost. BASIS schools in Phoenix dominate national rankings. Other highly-ranked charter options include Great Hearts Academies schools, giving you quality alternatives to traditional public education.

There are also a few private schools in the city that offer a higher standard of teaching and greater opportunities in areas such as sports, art, and drama. The costs associated with private school education can be high, especially when factoring in all the added extras such as uniforms, textbooks, extracurriculars and field trips.

The state of Arizona has well-established systems to support students with special needs and disabilities at no extra financial cost to their families. Arizona’s Exceptional Student Services ensures that public education agencies comply with federal requirements, maintaining quality standards across schools. But if you choose to provide your children with additional academic support through private tuition services outside the public education system, you’ll be required to foot the bill yourself.

Education and Schools in Phoenix

Cost of healthcare in Phoenix

The cost of healthcare in Phoenix sits about 7 percent below the national average, making it a bright spot in your budget planning. As the capital of Arizona, Phoenix has become quite the healthcare hub and has some of the foremost cancer treatment and heart health centres in the state.

While you’ll have access to excellent healthcare resources as a Phoenix resident, quality care doesn’t come cheap despite the lower-than-average index. Before relocating, you should investigate the different health insurance plans available. If you’re moving to Phoenix for a lucrative job offer, you should negotiate a medical insurance contribution into your employment contract to save on this cost.

Phoenix boasts several top-rated medical facilities, including Mayo Clinic-Arizona, Banner University Medical Center, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Wait times for specialist appointments generally match the national average, although same-day or next-day appointments are increasingly available through telehealth services, which most providers now offer.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in Phoenix