F
38%
Overall NAT. AVG.
15%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
101%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Fountain Hills Arizona National
Cost of living138101100
Goods & Services115104100
Groceries103102100
Health care9894100
Housing20197100
Transportation124106100
Utilities9895100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fountain Hills, AZ

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Fountain Hills is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Fountain Hills is 138, which is 38% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Fountain Hills may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Fountain Hills falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

When it comes to the cost of living in Fountain Hills, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 100.5% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Fountain Hills goods and services are 15% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Is Fountain Hills Affordable?

Wondering if Fountain Hills is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Fountain Hills, for example, the median home price is 121.2% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 52.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fountain Hills boasting a median household income of $87,080, which is 57.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fountain Hills?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Fountain Hills, the groceries index is 2.6% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Fountain Hills, the transportation index stands at 23.9% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Fountain Hills, healthcare costs are 2.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Fountain Hills, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fountain Hills is 37% higher than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Fountain Hills is 38% higher than the national average
  • Fountain Hills housing is 101% higher than the national average
  • Arizona general sales tax is 10% higher than the national average
  • Arizona state income tax is 4% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fountain Hills

See all the best places to live around Fountain Hills

Compare Fountain Hills, AZ Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$95,012$7,918$2,217$2,851
      Renters$54,186$4,516$1,264$1,626
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Fountain Hills, AZ, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Fountain Hills have a median income of $95,012. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,217 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $54,186, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,264.

      Arizona Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Arizona 5.6% 10.725%

      Arizona Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Arizona 2.5% 2.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Fountain Hills National avg. Difference
      Haircut $31.99$24.2631.9%
      Beauty Salon $51.63$45.5613.3%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.24$1.283.3%
      Movie $12.43$12.132.5%
      Bowling $24.03$18.0033.5%

      Groceries

      Item Fountain Hills National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.75$5.841.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.47$1.576.7%
      Milk $4.84$4.673.5%
      Potatoes $4.54$4.937.9%
      Pizza $13.22$12.099.3%
      Beer $11.37$10.419.2%

      Health Care

      Item Fountain Hills National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $105.08$125.6816.4%
      Doctor $126.58$135.786.8%
      Dentist $108.47$113.294.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.93$10.652.6%
      Lipitor $529.92$468.6013.1%

      Housing

      Item Fountain Hills National avg. Difference
      Home Price $408,600.00$184,700.00121.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,990.52$2,346.6927.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,444.00$949.0052.2%

      Transportation

      Item Fountain Hills National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.47$3.4629.1%
      Tire Balancing $66.63$59.9211.2%

      Utilities

      Item Fountain Hills National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.37$193.990.3%
      Phone $184.32$192.254.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Apache Junction, AZ41,863991.0%
      Mesa, AZ508,91811615.8%
      Tempe, AZ191,60711211.8%
      Scottsdale, AZ254,99513737.3%
      Rio Verde, AZ2,32716665.8%
      Fountain Hills, AZ25,16713837.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Palm Springs, FL25,1681022.1%
      Homewood, AL25,17012323.0%
      Haines City, FL25,178963.9%
      Austin, MN25,1809010.0%
      Caledonia, WI25,1821054.6%
      Fountain Hills, AZ25,16713837.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.