Cost of Living in Maricopa County, Arizona
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Maricopa County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Maricopa County, Arizona
Maricopa renters pay above national average
At 22.3%, Maricopa County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national standard by roughly three percentage points, indicating tighter affordability for renters than typical American markets. With median rent at $1,587 and household income at $85,518, Maricopa reflects Phoenix's urban popularity and rapid growth.
Second-priciest rental market in Arizona
Maricopa County's 22.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks second-highest in Arizona after Coconino's 24.2%, signaling moderate-to-tight rental affordability in the state's largest metro. At $1,587 median rent, Maricopa exceeds the state average by 56%, driven by Phoenix's dominance as Arizona's employment and population center.
Significantly costlier than all surrounding counties
Maricopa's $1,587 median rent dwarfs every surrounding county—Coconino at $1,406, Gila at $1,001, Cochise at $939, and Apache at $647—reflecting Phoenix's metropolitan scale and economic pull. Its median home value of $414,700 essentially matches Coconino's, making Maricopa the state's priciest urban housing market.
Renters spend 22%, owners 20% of income
Maricopa renters pay $1,587 monthly—22.3% of the $85,518 median income—while homeowners pay $1,445, or just 20.3% of income. The narrow 2-percentage-point gap shows that Maricopa's high home values mean both renters and owners face substantial housing burdens despite above-average household incomes.
Maricopa offers opportunity at a premium
If Phoenix's job markets, urban services, and networking opportunities justify higher housing costs, Maricopa County's $1,587 rent and $414,700 home values deliver access to Arizona's economic engine. Compare this against smaller, cheaper counties to decide whether metro-area benefits offset a 22% housing cost burden.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Maricopa County
Rent Burden
22.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,995
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.3%
of gross income
The median home in Maricopa County may be a stretch
Median home value is $414,700. Estimated monthly cost: $3,311 vs. your max of $1,995.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.