salaryPhoenix is the largest city in Arizona that we track, with 1,624,832 residents. Rent is higher than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.0 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $69,120 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Arizona cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Arizona. It is number 56 of 92 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Phoenix with other big cities
Compare Phoenix to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Phoenix?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Phoenix
| Size | Phoenix | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,127 | $1,185 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,253 | $1,180 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,493 | $1,338 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,771 | $1,500 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,961 | $1,861 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Phoenix overall?
Everyday prices in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Phoenix
Life in Phoenix
What jobs pay in Phoenix
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,870 | 15.2% |
| Lawyer | $135,600 | 15.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,630 | 15.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,970 | 15.5% |
| Software Developer | $129,600 | 16.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,280 | 20.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $98,160 | 21.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,920 | 21.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,400 | 21.7% |
| Operations Manager | $94,130 | 22.0% |
| Police Officer | $91,600 | 22.6% |
| Accountant | $80,080 | 25.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $74,670 | 27.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,120 | 30.0% |
| Plumber | $62,680 | 33.1% |
| Firefighter | $61,640 | 33.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,070 | 34.5% |
| Electrician | $59,940 | 34.6% |
| Carpenter | $59,030 | 35.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,820 | 35.3% |
| Truck Driver | $56,220 | 36.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,090 | 45.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,400 | 46.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,690 | 48.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,630 | 52.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,700 | 53.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,650 | 55.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,550 | 58.3% |
| Cashier | $33,700 | 61.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Phoenix?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $922 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $381,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $38,190 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Phoenix, AZ?
People who moved into a rental in Phoenix since 2021 pay a median of $1,728 a month, including utilities. The Arizona median is $1,605.
How much do I need to make to live in Phoenix?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $69,120 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Phoenix cheap or expensive?
Phoenix is rated OK: rent takes 26.9% of the typical household income of $77,041. It ranks 56th cheapest of 92 Arizona cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Phoenix?
The median homeowner in Phoenix pays $1,825 a year in property taxes, about 0.48% of the median home value.
Is Phoenix more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Phoenix?
The median home value in Phoenix is $381,900, about 5.0 times the typical yearly household income.
1,624,832 people live in Phoenix. Numbers are typical (middle) values.