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20 January 2025
Arizona may have seen some relief in median rents from the end of 2023 to 2024, with some cities experiencing drops of up to 10% due to more available housing and the departure of pandemic-era residents. However, despite these decreases, the state remains relatively expensive in terms of housing.
Arizona ranks higher in housing affordability than the rest of the nation. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Arizona has the 14th highest housing wage in the U.S. This is the average amount an individual must earn to afford a “modest” one-bedroom apartment.
A recent study by Out of Reach examined the most expensive states in which to live alone, and Arizona made the list. The study used the state’s average rent for a studio apartment—$1,289, based on the latest figures from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Considering Arizona’s average post-tax income, the study calculated that individuals living alone must allocate 27.48% of their disposable income to rent a studio apartment.
A commonly recommended budget rule is to spend no more than 30% of gross income (before taxes) on housing. However, renters spend nearly this amount of their disposable income in Arizona, indicating a tight housing market for single renters.
According to the study, Arizona ranked eighth among the most expensive states in which to live alone. While this isn’t as high as in New York, Hawaii, or California, it still significantly strains residents’ finances.
To provide a comparison, here’s how Arizona stacks up against other states:
Despite Arizona’s rent reductions, the state still represents a significant cost for renters living alone, especially compared to the national average.
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