D-
23%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
66%
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 Prescott Arizona National
Cost of living123101100
Goods & Services112104100
Groceries104102100
Health care8894100
Housing16697100
Transportation105106100
Utilities8595100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Prescott, AZ

Understanding the cost of living in Prescott can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Prescott cost of living index is 123, which is 23% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Prescott may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Prescott falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Prescott cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 65.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

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, Prescott goods and services are 12.3% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Prescott?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 46 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Prescott. The feedback revealed that 41% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 59% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Prescott Affordable?

Is Prescott affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Prescott, for instance, where the median home price falls 96.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 4.7% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Prescott flaunting a median household income of $58,562, 5.9% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Prescott?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Prescott, the transportation index is 5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Prescott, the utilities index registers at 15% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Prescott, healthcare costs are 12.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Prescott cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Prescott is 22% higher than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Prescott is 23% higher than the national average
  • Prescott housing is 66% 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 Prescott

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Compare Prescott, 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$69,122$5,760$1,613$2,074
      Renters$36,814$3,068$859$1,105
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Prescott, AZ, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Prescott, the median monthly income is $69,122 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,613 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $36,814, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $859 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Prescott National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.83$24.265.9%
      Beauty Salon $38.80$45.5614.8%
      Toothpaste $3.54$3.704.3%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $11.70$12.133.5%
      Bowling $26.78$18.0048.8%

      Groceries

      Item Prescott National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.21$5.8410.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.73$1.579.7%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $4.05$4.9317.9%
      Pizza $13.22$12.099.4%
      Beer $11.51$10.4110.6%

      Health Care

      Item Prescott National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $83.94$125.6833.2%
      Doctor $96.11$135.7829.2%
      Dentist $104.95$113.297.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.06$10.653.8%
      Lipitor $472.82$468.600.9%

      Housing

      Item Prescott National avg. Difference
      Home Price $362,300.00$184,700.0096.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,137.30$2,346.698.9%
      Apartment Rent $904.00$949.004.7%

      Transportation

      Item Prescott National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.58$3.463.4%
      Tire Balancing $45.24$59.9224.5%

      Utilities

      Item Prescott National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $272.57$193.9940.5%
      Phone $184.69$192.253.9%
      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.
      Mayer, AZ1,847928.2%
      Wilhoit, AZ946955.2%
      Dewey-Humboldt, AZ4,1231087.6%
      Chino Valley, AZ11,36211211.8%
      Prescott Valley, AZ45,59211312.7%
      Prescott, AZ43,46312322.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Concord, NH43,50311919.2%
      Peachtree Corners, GA43,51612120.8%
      Moorhead, MN43,409981.8%
      Channelview, TX43,378946.0%
      Salem, MA43,35013939.2%
      Prescott, AZ43,46312322.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.