F
30%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
92%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Anthem Arizona National
Cost of living130101100
Groceries102101100
Health care100101100
Housing19296100
Transportation104102100
Utilities108111100
Lifestyle & Entertainment103103100
Household Items101101100
Education & Childcare101103100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Anthem, AZ

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Anthem? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Anthem stands at 130, making it 30% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Anthem may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Anthem falls within this bracket.

Housing costs significantly influence the Anthem cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 92.5%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Anthem Affordable?

Is Anthem an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Anthem, the median home price is 100.6% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 73.4% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Anthem come in at $150,288, which is 84.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Anthem?

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Anthem, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5.6%, and income tax rates kick off at 2.5%.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Anthem, the groceries index registers 2.3% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Anthem cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Anthem is 28% higher than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Anthem is 30% higher than the national average
  • Anthem housing is 92% 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 Anthem

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Compare Anthem, AZ Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$167,076$13,923$3,898$5,013
      Renters$103,431$8,619$2,413$3,103
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Anthem, AZ, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Anthem, homeowners have a median income of $167,076. Using that number, a maximum of $3,898 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $103,431, which means there is a maximum of $2,413 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Deer Creek, AZ189964.2%
      Sun City West, AZ27,02511110.6%
      Surprise, AZ142,58911515.0%
      Cave Creek, AZ5,98912727.4%
      New River, AZ16,85713434.3%
      Anthem, AZ24,32013029.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Searcy, AR24,322919.4%
      Windsor, CO24,32413737.4%
      Zion, IL24,329963.7%
      Romulus, MI24,3368910.6%
      Belton, MO24,296936.8%
      Anthem, AZ24,32013029.6%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.