Cost of Living in Arizona: Cities where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in Arizona? doxo breaks down key insights about Arizona’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Arizona pays $2,184 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Arizona’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Arizona ranks as the 21st most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Arizona is ranked as the 21st most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $26,208 per year, Arizona’s household expenses, on average, are 3% higher than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Arizona households spend 35% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Arizona is 103.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,184 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 103
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #21
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 35%
- Compared to the National Average: 3% higher
Arizona Household Expenses are 3% Higher Than the National Average
The average Arizona household pays $2,184 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Arizona is $85, compared to the national average of $88, making it approximately 3% higher.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Arizona residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,447, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 3% more expensive.
Average Arizona Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Arizona Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Arizona Percent +/- National Average ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $1,447 | $1,402 | 3% higher |
| Rent | $1,324 | $1,300 | 2% higher |
| Auto Loan | $525 | $496 | 6% higher |
| Utilities | $369 | $362 | 2% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $219 | $209 | 5% higher |
| Health Insurance | $131 | $114 | 14% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $108 | $121 | 11% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $121 | $122 | 1% lower |
| Life Insurance | $89 | $87 | 2% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $88 | $85 | 3% higher |
| Total | $2,184 | $2,126 | 3% higher |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Paradise Valley has the highest cost of living in Arizona for household bills
Residents of Paradise Valley pay the highest household bills in the state of Arizona, at an average of $3,403 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Paradise Valley is 160, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 60% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Paradise Valley make up 33% of the average annual household income of $110,857.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Arizona Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Paradise Valley | $172,857 | $3,403 | 160 | 60% higher | 24% |
| 2 | Scottsdale | $110,857 | $3,067 | 144 | 44% higher | 33% |
| 3 | Cave Creek | $117,938 | $2,847 | 134 | 34% higher | 29% |
| 4 | Litchfield Park | $111,479 | $2,707 | 127 | 27% higher | 29% |
| 5 | Queen Creek | $116,587 | $2,686 | 126 | 26% higher | 28% |
| 6 | Goodyear | $98,352 | $2,611 | 123 | 23% higher | 32% |
| 7 | Laveen | $97,057 | $2,598 | 122 | 22% higher | 32% |
| 8 | Gilbert | $116,596 | $2,532 | 119 | 19% higher | 26% |
| 9 | Chandler | $99,372 | $2,493 | 117 | 17% higher | 30% |
| 10 | Flagstaff | $68,755 | $2,411 | 113 | 13% higher | 42% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Eloy has the lowest cost of living in Arizona for household bills
Out of 64 cities, Eloy is the most affordable place in Arizona, with residents paying $1,403 on average for household bills, accounting for 29% of annual income of $58,229. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Eloy is 66, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 34% below the national average.
Bullhead City is the second most affordable city in Arizona, with residents paying $1,506 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Arizona are Green Valley ($1,537), Winslow ($1,551) and Golden Valley ($1,560).
10 Most Affordable Arizona Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 55 | Douglas | $41,369 | $1,642 | 77 | 23% lower | 48% |
| 56 | Kingman | $51,782 | $1,626 | 76 | 24% lower | 38% |
| 57 | Safford | $61,627 | $1,608 | 76 | 24% lower | 31% |
| 58 | Globe | $64,447 | $1,595 | 75 | 25% lower | 30% |
| 59 | Nogales | $37,004 | $1,589 | 75 | 25% lower | 52% |
| 60 | Golden Valley | $43,034 | $1,560 | 73 | 27% lower | 44% |
| 61 | Winslow | $45,842 | $1,551 | 73 | 27% lower | 41% |
| 62 | Green Valley | $62,490 | $1,537 | 72 | 28% lower | 30% |
| 63 | Bullhead City | $45,577 | $1,506 | 71 | 29% lower | 40% |
| 64 | Eloy | $58,229 | $1,403 | 66 | 34% lower | 29% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Arizona with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.