What salary do you need to live in Phoenix, AZ?
For a single person: about $72,000/year before taxes to live comfortably. That's the gross income whose AZ-taxed take-home covers roughly $1,600 rent plus everyday essentials, with a 20% cushion for savings. Figures include 2025 federal tax, FICA, and an effective 2.5% Arizona income tax.
Single person — est. essentials $3,978/mo
Tight
take-home covers $3,978/mo
$58,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $4,774/mo
$72,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $5,967/mo
$93,000/yr
2-person household — est. essentials $5,384/mo
Tight
take-home covers $5,384/mo
$78,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $6,461/mo
$94,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $8,076/mo
$119,000/yr
3-person household — est. essentials $6,499/mo
Tight
take-home covers $6,499/mo
$95,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $7,799/mo
$115,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $9,749/mo
$147,500/yr
4-person household — est. essentials $7,481/mo
Tight
take-home covers $7,481/mo
$110,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $8,977/mo
$134,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $11,222/mo
$173,500/yr
How we calculate this
Essentials = typical rent ($1,600) + a national non-housing baseline by household size ($2,450 for one person) + Arizona's combined sales tax on the taxable share of that spending. We then solve for the gross salary whose after-tax take-home hits each tier. Local income taxes and property taxes aren't modeled — see the methodology.
Planning a move here?
Get notified when Phoenix gets more affordable, plus relocation tips.
Unsubscribe anytime