✦ Cost of living
Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
US = 100
In plain terms: Phoenix is about 5% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,450/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing112+12%
- Food & groceries100−0%
- Transport105+5%
- Utilities104+4%
- Healthcare100−0%
- Goods & services101+1%
About
“The Valley of the Sun”
Affordable, fast-growing and sunny nearly year-round — if you can handle triple-digit summers.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 33.45, -112.07
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Safety
52/100
Healthcare
76/100
Pollution
55/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
+13 °C
Jul avg
+35 °C
Sunny days
299/yr
Walkability
42/100
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix, AZ's cost-of-living index is 105 (US average = 100) — about 5% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,450 per month.
What is the average rent in Phoenix, AZ?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,450 per month, and around $1,150 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix, AZ averages around +13 °C in January and +35 °C in July, with roughly 299 sunny days a year.
❖ Compare Phoenix with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.