B+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
15%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
6%
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 Show Low Arizona National
Cost of living104101100
Goods & Services115104100
Groceries102102100
Health care10894100
Housing9497100
Transportation116106100
Utilities8495100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Show Low, AZ

Knowing the cost of living in Show Low allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Show Low stands at 104, marking it 4% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Show Low is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Show Low, these items will cost you 14.6% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Show Low?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Show Low and this is how they responded. 50% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 50% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Show Low Affordable?

Is Show Low 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 Show Low, for instance, where the median home price falls 8% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 0.2% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Show Low flaunting a median household income of $49,000, 11.4% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Show Low?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Show Low, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5.6%, and the income tax rates commence at 2.55%.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Show Low, the transportation index is 15.5% higher than the national average.

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 Show Low, the groceries index is 1.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Show Low cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors 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 Show Low is 3% higher than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Show Low is 4% higher than the national average
  • Show Low housing is 6% 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 Show Low

See all the best places to live around Show Low

Compare Show Low, 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$60,256$5,021$1,406$1,808
      Renters$31,299$2,608$730$939
      The affordability of the housing market in Show Low, AZ as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Show Low homeowners, the median income is $60,256. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,406 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $31,299. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $730 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Show Low National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.67$24.2627.2%
      Beauty Salon $35.11$45.5622.9%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.0%
      Shampoo $1.31$1.282.5%
      Movie $8.38$12.1331.0%
      Bowling $6.67$18.0063.0%

      Groceries

      Item Show Low National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.56$5.8412.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.10$1.5729.8%
      Milk $4.79$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $4.63$4.936.2%
      Pizza $8.98$12.0925.7%
      Beer $10.96$10.415.3%

      Health Care

      Item Show Low National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $105.50$125.6816.1%
      Doctor $108.89$135.7819.8%
      Dentist $109.06$113.293.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.64$10.650.1%
      Lipitor $493.85$468.605.4%

      Housing

      Item Show Low National avg. Difference
      Home Price $170,000.00$184,700.008.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,439.20$2,346.693.9%
      Apartment Rent $947.00$949.000.2%

      Transportation

      Item Show Low National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.5%
      Tire Balancing $59.52$59.920.7%

      Utilities

      Item Show Low National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $158.87$193.9918.1%
      Phone $183.34$192.254.6%
      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.
      Hondah, AZ1,152909.9%
      McNary, AZ771937.0%
      White Mountain Lake, AZ2,947955.4%
      Lake of the Woods, AZ3,6521021.9%
      Taylor, AZ4,2551088.0%
      Show Low, AZ11,2801043.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Summerfield, NC11,28312221.8%
      Guttenberg, NJ11,28413231.9%
      Beachwood, NJ11,27411817.8%
      Blackfalds, AB11,272n/a 
      Newport East, RI11,28912929.4%
      Show Low, AZ11,2801043.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.