The 85641 zip code in Vail tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Arizona.
Whether you're searching for affordable cities and towns to buy a home or the places with the lowest cost of living to rent, consider the following zip codes.
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Top 10 most affordable places to live in Arizona
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vail 🥇 | 100.0 | $407,194 | $1,992 |
| 2 | Sahuarita 🥈 | 99.9 | $338,535 | $1,915 |
| 3 | Tucson 🥉 | 95.7 | $365,440 | $1,884 |
| 4 | Maricopa | 93.2 | $347,800 | $1,777 |
| 5 | Douglas | 88.5 | $174,921 | $1,764 |
| 6 | Surprise | 86.7 | $425,148 | $2,020 |
| 7 | Phoenix | 86.6 | $387,099 | $1,572 |
| 8 | Globe | 86.1 | $236,035 | $1,764 |
| 9 | Chandler | 83.0 | $502,563 | $1,803 |
| 10 | Glendale | 82.2 | $405,783 | $1,483 |
What these affordable cities and towns have in common
The 10 zip codes we ranked share a common trait: a low cost of living relative to the Arizona median.
Median home values, rental costs, and property taxes generally sit below the state averages, while household incomes remain strong enough to keep home affordability ratios manageable. Below, we look at each market in detail.
1. Vail
Here's why the 85641 zip code in Vail is Arizona's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Vail
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $407,194[1] | No. 95 | -$48,718 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 2 | -2.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 22.0%[2] | No. 23 | -7.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.4%[3] | No. 144 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,992[4] | No. 140 | $228 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.52% | No. 8 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $131,164[5] | No. 12 | $44,847 |
| Property taxes | $3,076[6] | No. 167 | $1,112 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[7] | No. 31 | -$0.01 |
Vail's 85641 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Arizona, leading the 190 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $407,194, making it the 95th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.4% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,992 per month, which is the 8th cheapest amount in Arizona.
The median property tax for homeowners in Vail is $3,076 per household, the No. 167 ranked market in Arizona.
Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 31 among Arizona markets.
📈 Thinking about buying in Arizona? See our complete housing market outlook for the data, trends, and timing insights Arizona buyers need to know.
2. Sahuarita
The 85629 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Arizona.
🔎 Key data about Sahuarita
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 99.9 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $338,535[1] | No. 48 | -$117,377 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 1 | -2.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 24.5%[2] | No. 55 | -4.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.4%[3] | No. 144 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,915[4] | No. 128 | $151 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.75% | No. 37 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $109,253[5] | No. 41 | $22,936 |
| Property taxes | $2,223[6] | No. 129 | $259 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[7] | No. 37 | $0.00 |
Sahuarita's 85629 zip code has a median home value of $338,535, which is the 48th-cheapest housing market in Arizona. You can rent for an average of $1,915 per month. That's the 128th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $109,253, which ranks 41st-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Sahuarita pay a median property tax of $2,223 per year, making it the 129th-most affordable market in Arizona.
Sahuarita ranks No. 37 among Arizona energy markets. You'll pay $0.15 per kWh of electricity.
3. Tucson
The 3rd-least-expensive place to live in Arizona is Tucson's 85747 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Tucson
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.7 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $365,440[1] | No. 61 | -$90,472 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 3 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 25.8%[2] | No. 80 | -3.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.4%[3] | No. 144 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,884[4] | No. 123 | $120 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.70% | No. 27 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $110,816[5] | No. 38 | $24,499 |
| Property taxes | $2,734[6] | No. 156 | $770 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[7] | No. 37 | $0.00 |
The No. 61 cheapest housing market in Arizona is Tucson's 85747 zip code, with a median home value of $365,440. Rents in the market average $1,884 per month, making it the 123rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Tucson is $2,734, which makes it the 156th-cheapest place in Arizona. Tucson ranks No. 37 among Arizona markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.15 per kWh of electricity.
4. Maricopa
The 85138 zip code in Maricopa comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Arizona.
🔎 Key data about Maricopa
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.2 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $347,800[1] | No. 53 | -$108,112 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.6 | No. 4 | -1.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 19.0%[2] | No. 7 | -10.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[3] | No. 1 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,777[4] | No. 104 | $13 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.85% | No. 54 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $95,867[5] | No. 58 | $9,550 |
| Property taxes | $2,187[6] | No. 126 | $223 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[7] | No. 111 | $0.00 |
The No. 53 cheapest housing market in Arizona is Maricopa's 85138 zip code, where the median home value is $347,800. Renters here pay an average of $1,777 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Maricopa ranks 111th among Arizona markets. Residents pay $0.15 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $2,187, which makes it the 126th-cheapest market in Arizona.
5. Douglas
The 85607 zip code in Douglas ranks No. 5 among Arizona's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Douglas
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.5 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $174,921[1] | No. 1 | -$280,991 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.0 | No. 18 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 16.7%[2] | No. 4 | -12.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.2%[3] | No. 172 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,764[4] | No. 84 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.04% | No. 86 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $43,351[5] | No. 187 | -$42,966 |
| Property taxes | $879[6] | No. 7 | -$1,085 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[7] | No. 87 | $0.00 |
Douglas's 85607 zip code has a median home value of $174,921, the 1st-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.2% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Douglas is $879. It's the 7th-cheapest market by tax rate in Arizona.
6. Surprise
The No. 6 most affordable city in Arizona is the 85379 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Surprise
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.7 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $425,148[1] | No. 101 | -$30,763 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.8 | No. 8 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 23.2%[2] | No. 39 | -6.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[3] | No. 1 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $2,020[4] | No. 143 | $256 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.83% | No. 49 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $110,616[5] | No. 39 | $24,299 |
| Property taxes | $1,813[6] | No. 92 | -$151 |
| Energy costs | $0.16 kWh[7] | No. 144 | $0.01 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Surprise's 85379 zip code, which has the 101st-cheapest home values in Arizona. The median home value is $425,148. Rents average $2,020 per month, making it the 143rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.16 per kWh of electricity. It's the 144th-cheapest energy market.
7. Phoenix
Phoenix's 85042 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Arizona.
🔎 Key data about Phoenix
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.6 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $387,099[1] | No. 79 | -$68,812 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.4 | No. 37 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 22.0%[2] | No. 24 | -7.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[3] | No. 1 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,572[4] | No. 53 | -$192 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.77% | No. 40 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $88,717[5] | No. 72 | $2,400 |
| Property taxes | $1,875[6] | No. 99 | -$89 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[7] | No. 1 | -$0.02 |
You'll find the 79th-cheapest home values in Arizona in Phoenix's 85042 zip code. The median value: $387,099. Renters in Phoenix pay an average of $1,572 per month.
Homeowners in Phoenix pay a median property tax of $1,875 per year, which is Arizona's 99th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $88,717, which ranks 72nd-highest in the state.
8. Globe
The 8th-least-expensive place to live in Arizona is Globe's 85501 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Globe
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.1 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $236,035[1] | No. 5 | -$219,876 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.8 | No. 7 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 25.8%[2] | No. 77 | -3.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[3] | No. 176 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,764[4] | No. 84 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.04% | No. 86 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $61,983[5] | No. 153 | -$24,334 |
| Property taxes | $983[6] | No. 15 | -$981 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[7] | No. 33 | -$0.01 |
The 5th-cheapest housing market in Arizona is Globe's 85501 zip code, with a median home value of $236,035. Renters pay an average of $1,764 per month, the No. 84 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Globe is $983, which makes it the 15th-cheapest place in Arizona. The average household income of $61,983 ranks 153rd.
9. Chandler
Chandler's 85226 zip code is one of Arizona's most affordable towns, sneaking into the top ten of our rankings.
🔎 Key data about Chandler
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 83.0 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $502,563[1] | No. 136 | $46,651 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.4 | No. 39 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 25.3%[2] | No. 73 | -4.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.6%[3] | No. 82 | -0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,803[4] | No. 110 | $39 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.57% | No. 13 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $114,817[5] | No. 31 | $28,500 |
| Property taxes | $2,109[6] | No. 120 | $145 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[7] | No. 1 | -$0.02 |
The 136th-cheapest housing market in Arizona is Chandler's 85226 zip code, where the median home value is $502,563. Renters pay an average of $1,803 per month. It's the state's 110th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $2,109, which makes it the 120th-cheapest property tax rate in Arizona.
10. Glendale
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Arizona goes to the 85306 zip code in Glendale.
🔎 Key data about Glendale
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 190 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 82.2 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $405,783[1] | No. 93 | -$50,129 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.8 | No. 79 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 22.0%[2] | No. 21 | -7.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[3] | No. 1 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,483[4] | No. 42 | -$281 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.75% | No. 36 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $84,779[5] | No. 84 | -$1,538 |
| Property taxes | $1,559[6] | No. 68 | -$405 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[7] | No. 51 | $0.00 |
Rounding out our top 10 is Glendale's 85306 zip code, with the 93rd-cheapest home values in Arizona.
The median home value is $405,783. Rent in the market costs $1,483 per month on average.
The median property tax for households in Glendale is $1,559, which is the 68th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Glendale ranks No. 51 among Arizona markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.15 per kWh of electricity.
What questions about these cities should I ask local agents?
Once you've found a town you're interested in, you'll want to ask a local agent for details our rankings can't capture. Start with these four questions:
- What neighborhoods inside this zip code have the best resale value?
- What's the rental market like right now?
- Are there local property tax exemptions or homestead programs you'd qualify for?
- What are the most common surprises buyers run into here?
🏡 Need a local agent? We can connect you with an expert who knows the market.
Frequently asked questions about the least expensive places to live in Arizona
Based on Clever's Affordability Score, the 85641 zip code in Vail is the cheapest place to live in Arizona.
The median home value is $407,194, and the median household income is $131,164, giving Vail a home affordability ratio of 3.1, meaning a typical home costs about that many times the median annual income.
See our Affordability Score methodology and the full ranking of the 10 cheapest places to live in Arizona.
The median home value in Arizona is $455,912.
See the rankings above for how individual cities compare to these state-wide figures.
Arizona is currently a moderate buyer's market, according to Clever's Market Heat Index.
The index reflects the balance between buyer demand and seller supply, which affects how much negotiating power buyers and sellers have in any given market.
Markets also vary by city, county, and neighborhood. It's always good to check with a local real estate agent to understand the dynamics of a given local market.
The median amount homeowners pay in property taxes in Arizona is $1,964 per year.
Property taxes are a key part of the overall cost of living, and they vary significantly by location. The per-city tax figures in the rankings above show how each of the 10 cheapest places stacks up against the Arizona median.
📍 The 10 cheapest places to live in your region
How we ranked the most affordable cities and towns in Arizona
We evaluated 190 zip codes in Arizona with a population over 10,000 on home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Arizona, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Arizona average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Arizona average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
Why you should trust us
Clever has earned home buyers’ and home sellers' trust with more than 4,000 5-star customer ratings on Trustpilot.
Our team is committed to making home purchasing more transparent by educating buyers and sellers through guides like this one. Our writers, editors, and industry-leading researchers strive to provide readers with the most up-to-date, accurate, and useful information.
Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more publications.
About Clever Real Estate
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