Phoenix holds a reputation for being among the more affordable big cities in the US. However, in a recent study that analyzed data from the 75 biggest cities in the country, the cost of living in Phoenix came in at the middle of the pack. San Francisco, on the other hand, took one of the highest spots.
The average monthly expenses in Phoenix, Arizona, is $1,869.97 putting it at No. 40 on the list. It is even a little less costly than Detroit, with $1,883.52 in expenditure each month, putting it at No. 39. Virginia Beach was slightly more expensive at No. 39 ($1,859.07).
The monthly averages were a summation of the following:
- Rent for a one-bedroom apartment
- Utilities such as power and water
- Transportation
- Food including groceries and the occasional meal at a restaurant
- Internet
Phoenix rests in the Sonoran Desert and gets more than 300 days of sunshine every year. The temperature is about 100ofarenheit for the first hundred days within that. A little history will tell you how the Hohokam Native Americans first settled there at about 300AD and designed impressive 135 miles of waterways to irrigate their farmland and solve other needs.
Anyone considering moving to Phoenix would benefit from checking out the following:
- Population: According to the 2016 estimate, Phoenix’s population to be 1,563,025. Its metropolitan population is thought to be over 4.5 million.
- Official Language: English is the official language; however, there are over a hundred languages spoken by inhabitants. These include Spanish, several African languages, Navajo, Mandarin, Cantonese, German, and Vietnamese.
- Golf: Enthusiasts of the sport will find Pheonix to be a great city for relocating to. It has over 200 golf courses and is listed as a top golfing location in the world.
- GDP per Capita: $55,547 USD as at 2015
Housing Cost in Phoenix
During the 2008 – 2010 crash, property values in Phoenix fell but have since been slowly recovering. There is a variety of real estate to choose from, ranging from apartments to ranches and renting to buying.
Average Rents Per Month in Phoenix
- One-bedroom apartments within the city center cost $700+
- Outside the city center, a one-bedroom apartment will cost $640+
- In the city center, a three-bedroom apartment goes for $1,030+
- Three bedroom apartments away from the city center go for $957+
Average Home Buying Prices
- In the city center square meter of property (10.7 square feet) goes for $1900+
- To buy property outside the city center would cost you $1200+ per square meter
How to Minimize Housing Costs in Phoenix
The go-to method for mot is sharing an apartment. You can find roommates on Easyroommate, Craigslist, Trulia Roommate Locator, etc. An alternative is investigating the city’s different areas and weighing their pros and cons against price listings. Arcadia is one of the best suburbs to live in, with an excellent selection of restaurants and awesome mountain views. Central Phoenix is an area on the rise with affordable rents and a blossoming arts and culture scene.
