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NerdWallet's Cost of Living calculator shows you what it costs to live and the quality of life in Phoenix, AZ. We show you the largest costs - housing, gas, food, healthcare - as well as your ...
- Pros of Living in Phoenix
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- FAQ – Living in Phoenix
- Pros & Cons of Living in Phoenix
- Compare The Pros & Cons of Living in Phoenix
#1. The Beautiful Scenery
I’ll be honest, it took me a little while to learn to appreciate the desert landscape before moving to Phoenix! But within a year of living in Phoenix, I found myself really enjoying it all. For me it was kind of like when someone flips off the lights and you it goes completely dark but after a while you can start to see things and in no time you’re seeing it all. Living in Phoenix it went from dead and dusty to admiring the surprising amount of desert life, imposing rock formations, and spec...
#2. Access to Outdoor Recreation
The access to outdoor recreation was one of the things that sold me on living in Phoenix back when I first moved. Here, you’ll find almost everything – hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, and more. The best part? Phoenix doesn’t have harsh winters or wet springs, so playing outside is fair game during the months most folks are cooped up inside. The drawback, as you probably guessed, is during the summer months all the outdoor recreating has to be done early in the morning or after the sun set...
#3. Strong Job Economy
Here’s something that most folks don’t realize about living in Phoenix – we have one of the best job economies in the country. In fact, Phoenix is home to five Fortune 500 Companies. The city has a rapidly growing economy and well-paying jobs, due in part to the large influx of people moving to the area. Major tech companies are beginning to make up a large portion of the city’s economic presence as well. The top employers in Phoenix are: Banner Health, American Express, Amazon, and Walmart....
#1. Summer Heat is a Bear
Okay, let’s kick off this list of the honest cons of living in Phoenix with this stubborn little fact: Phoenix has thehighest summer temperatures of any US city(I weep as I type this). To many, the summer temperatures are a deal breaker. But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s a quick roundup of average daily high/low temps in summer: June (104° / 76°), July (106° / 82°), August (105° / 81°). Daily averages that exceed 100° for three months in a row are no joke (last year we set the record...
#2. Lack of Public Transportation
You won’t see the Valley of the Sun grace the top of a public transportation list anytime soon, so don’t expect much in that department when moving to Phoenix. One of the major weaknesses of the inner-city infrastructure is the lack of public transportation. There’s no sense in sugarcoating it: you’ll need a car to get around because Phoenix is verycar-centric. As the population of Phoenix continues to grow the lack of public transportation will continue to result in worsening traffic problem...
#3. Phoenix Isn’t a Walkable City
The lack of transportation is one thing but the fact that Phoenix isn’t walkable is a double whammy. Due to the massive size of the city coupled with urban sprawl, Phoenix isn’t close to being a walkable place by any stretch of the imagination. The city does a little better with a decent biking infrastructure, but overall is better suited to exclusively car travel. Sigh. On top of that, the climate itself removes any desirability to walk or bike 4-6 months out of the year, as temperatures rou...
Moving to Phoenix? Learn some of the quirky laws
Although all areas of the country have quirky laws and strange ordinances, Phoenix takes this to a new level with some rules that you will need to be aware of. If you are planning on moving to Phoenix, you must be aware of the “Stupid Motorist Law”, a state law that holds drivers 100% liable for any damages they incur if driving through barricades into a flooded area. Flash floods are a common occurrence in Arizona, and state officials have no patience for drivers taking matters into their ow...
Well, there you have it. A list of the pros and cons of living in Phoenix. As always, be sure to always do plenty of research before potentially moving to Phoenix to be aware of all potential benefits and challenges of residing there. Overall, Phoenix can be a great opportunity to start a new life or career, as it is one of the fastest-growing citi...
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People also ask
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Apr 24, 2024 · The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Arizona's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $14.35 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Phoenix ...
The cost of living is 21.72% lower in Phoenix, AZ. The total income needed is $12,492 less than your current household income. Transportation tends to cost 1.89% higher. Homes tend to cost 36.40% ...
Mar 29, 2024 · Why It’s So Expensive to Live in Phoenix. Arizona is a presidential election battleground state, and a dire shortage of affordable housing there is sowing economic anxiety among voters.
Nov 11, 2022 · Legal: $77,104. Personal Care & Service: $30,238. Sales & Related: $34,358. More good news: Compensation in Phoenix has ticked up over the last two years, according to the Bureau of Labor ...
A typical home costs $413,000, which is 22.2% more expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 1.4% more expensive than the average Arizona home, at $407,400. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Phoenix costs $1,770 per month, which is 23.8% more than the national average of $1,430 and 12.4% more than the state average of $1,550.
