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
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Maricopa County ranks #2,981 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 5%)
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.
Cost of Living Advisory: Maricopa County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Maricopa County is affordable. The median rent is $1,587/month against a median household income of $85,518, putting rent at 22.3% of income.
Rent vs. Own
At $1,587/month rent versus $1,445/month in owner costs, owning is roughly $142/month cheaper — a 9% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $63,480/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $61,929/year. With a median household income of $85,518, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 30.0% of renter households in Maricopa County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Pinal County where rent averages $1,417/month, Maricopa County is approximately 12% more expensive.
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
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
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.
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