F
72%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
233%
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 Carefree Arizona National
Cost of living172101100
Groceries103102100
Health care9693100
Housing33396100
Transportation109102100
Utilities106104100
Lifestyle & Entertainmentn/an/an/a
Household Itemsn/an/an/a
Education & Childcaren/an/an/a
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Carefree is 70% higher than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Carefree is 72% higher than the national average
  • Carefree housing is 233% 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 Carefree

See all the best places to live around Carefree

Compare Carefree, AZ Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Carefree?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Carefree?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Carefree poll results

      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$179,502$14,959$4,188$5,386
      Renters$109,658$9,138$2,559$3,290

      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, AZ189990.5%
      Cave Creek, AZ5,98913131.0%
      Anthem, AZ24,32013433.9%
      Fountain Hills, AZ25,68613131.2%
      New River, AZ16,85713938.7%
      Carefree, AZ3,99217271.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Benson, NC3,9918811.8%
      Vandalia, MO3,9938020.4%
      Menands, NY3,99311414.5%
      Clearview, WA3,99317473.6%
      Butte, AK3,99012828.4%
      Carefree, AZ3,99217271.5%
      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.