A+
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
17%
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 Rio Rico Arizona National
Cost of living99101100
Goods & Services109104100
Groceries105102100
Health care9094100
Housing8397100
Transportation108106100
Utilities10295100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Rio Rico, AZ

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Rio Rico 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 Rio Rico is 99, which is 1% lower 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.

In Rio Rico, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Rio Rico will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Rio Rico Affordable?

Is Rio Rico an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Rio Rico, the median home price is 20% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 9.1% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Rio Rico come in at $51,699, which is 6.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Rio Rico?

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Rio Rico, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5.6%, and income tax rates kick off at 2.55%.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Rio Rico, the housing index is 16.7% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Rio Rico, the transportation index is 8.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Rio Rico 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Rio Rico is 1% lower than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Rio Rico is 1% lower than the national average
  • Rio Rico housing is 17% lower 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 Rio Rico

See all the best places to live around Rio Rico

Compare Rio Rico, 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$53,823$4,485$1,256$1,615
      Renters$38,676$3,223$902$1,160
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Rio Rico, 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 Rio Rico, the median monthly income is $53,823 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,256 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $38,676, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $902 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 Rio Rico National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.15$24.2620.2%
      Beauty Salon $45.06$45.561.1%
      Toothpaste $3.64$3.701.8%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.36$12.131.9%
      Bowling $13.68$18.0024.0%

      Groceries

      Item Rio Rico National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.07$5.844.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.3%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $4.58$4.937.1%
      Pizza $12.52$12.093.6%
      Beer $11.13$10.416.9%

      Health Care

      Item Rio Rico National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $116.73$125.687.1%
      Doctor $125.31$135.787.7%
      Dentist $101.61$113.2910.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.03$10.653.6%
      Lipitor $370.51$468.6020.9%

      Housing

      Item Rio Rico National avg. Difference
      Home Price $147,800.00$184,700.0020.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,328.25$2,346.690.8%
      Apartment Rent $863.00$949.009.1%

      Transportation

      Item Rio Rico National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.05$3.4617.0%
      Tire Balancing $52.24$59.9212.8%

      Utilities

      Item Rio Rico National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $198.69$193.992.4%
      Phone $193.20$192.250.5%
      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.
      Beyerville, AZ251065.9%
      Nogales, AZ20,182946.3%
      Kino Springs, AZ302964.1%
      Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ991054.6%
      Patagonia, AZ82311010.2%
      Rio Rico, AZ19,948990.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Arlington, WA19,94713332.9%
      Camrose, AB19,951n/a 
      Rosedale, MD19,9631099.0%
      North Ogden, UT19,93011312.7%
      Havelock, NC19,927955.0%
      Rio Rico, AZ19,948990.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.