A-
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
15%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
32%
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 San Tan Valley Arizona National
Cost of living117101100
Goods & Services115104100
Groceries103102100
Health care9894100
Housing13297100
Transportation124106100
Utilities9895100

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Tan Valley, AZ

Getting a feel for the cost of living in San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley is 117, which is 17% 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.

When it comes to the cost of living in San Tan Valley, 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 32.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In San Tan Valley, you you will have to spend 15% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is San Tan Valley Affordable?

Is San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley, for instance, where the median home price falls 23.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 51.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with San Tan Valley flaunting a median household income of $74,455, 34.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in San Tan Valley?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

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 San Tan Valley, the transportation index is 23.9% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In San Tan Valley, the groceries index is 2.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in San Tan Valley displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in San Tan Valley is 16% higher than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in San Tan Valley is 17% higher than the national average
  • San Tan Valley housing is 32% 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 San Tan Valley

See all the best places to live around San Tan Valley

Compare San Tan Valley, 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$77,699$6,475$1,813$2,331
      Renters$62,813$5,234$1,466$1,885
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in San Tan Valley, 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 San Tan Valley, the median monthly income is $77,699 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,813 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $62,813, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,466 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 San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley National avg. Difference
      Home Price $228,700.00$184,700.0023.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,990.52$2,346.6927.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,437.00$949.0051.4%

      Transportation

      Item San Tan Valley National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.47$3.4629.1%
      Tire Balancing $66.63$59.9211.2%

      Utilities

      Item San Tan Valley 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.
      Upper Santan Village, AZ56611110.6%
      Sacaton Flats Village, AZ48611110.6%
      Sacaton, AZ2,484928.3%
      Apache Junction, AZ41,863991.0%
      Lower Santan Village, AZ1101000.1%
      San Tan Valley, AZ104,93611717.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Clarington, ON104,855n/a 
      Brantford, ON105,103n/a 
      Wichita Falls, TX104,6578515.1%
      Norwalk, CA104,52414949.2%
      Green Bay, WI104,508919.0%
      San Tan Valley, AZ104,93611717.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.