A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
42%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Douglas Arizona National
Cost of living91101100
Goods & Services109104100
Groceries105102100
Health care9094100
Housing5897100
Transportation108106100
Utilities10295100
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

An Overview of Cost of Living in Douglas, AZ

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Douglas? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Douglas stands at 90, making it 10% lower 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.

Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Douglas distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 41% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Douglas can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.

Is Douglas Affordable?

Wondering if Douglas is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Douglas, for example, the median home price is 41.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 39.7% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Douglas boasting a median household income of $56,770, which is 30.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Douglas?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Douglas, the housing index is 41% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Douglas, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5.6%, and the income tax rates commence at 2.5%.

Where is the Data From?

The Douglas cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Douglas is 9% lower than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Douglas is 9% lower than the national average
  • Douglas housing is 42% lower 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 Douglas

See all the best places to live around Douglas

Compare Douglas, AZ Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Douglas?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Douglas?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Douglas 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$44,706$3,726$1,043$1,341
      Renters$30,000$2,500$700$900
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Douglas is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Douglas has a median income of about $44,706 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,043 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $30,000. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $700 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Douglas National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.15$24.2620.2%
      Beauty Salon $45.06$45.561.1%
      Toothpaste $3.64$3.701.8%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.36$12.131.9%
      Yoga $n/a  

      Groceries

      Item Douglas National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.07$5.844.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.3%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $4.58$4.937.1%
      Pizza $12.52$12.093.6%
      Beer $11.13$10.416.9%

      Health Care

      Item Douglas National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $116.73$125.687.1%
      Doctor $125.31$135.787.7%
      Dentist $101.61$113.2910.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.03$10.653.6%
      Lipitor $370.51$468.6020.9%

      Housing

      Item Douglas National avg. Difference
      Home Price $104,100.00$184,700.0043.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,328.25$2,346.690.8%
      Apartment Rent $581.00$949.0038.8%

      Transportation

      Item Douglas National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.05$3.4617.0%
      Tire Balancing $52.24$59.9212.8%

      Utilities

      Item Douglas National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $198.69$193.992.4%
      Phone $193.20$192.250.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pirtleville, AZ1,2338911.4%
      Douglas, AZ16,292918.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Red Hill, SC16,290991.3%
      Somerton, AZ16,301964.1%
      Parkway, CA16,28211716.8%
      New River, AZ16,30313434.1%
      Stuart, FL16,2791033.2%
      Douglas, AZ16,292918.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.