Cost of Living in Catalina, AZ

Population 6,908 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

86
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Catalina is a smaller Arizona community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $79,092 and housing costs ($268,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Catalina sits roughly 25 miles north of Tucson. Median home values run roughly 11% higher than Tucson's $242,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 88
Rent 84

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Catalina

The median home value in Catalina is $267,800 — 12% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,108/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $79,092/year is 6% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Arizona's top state income tax rate is 2.5% and the combined sales tax is 8.4%. Overall, Catalina has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$267,800
12% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$278,485
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,108/mo
16% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$985
1 BR
$1,055
2 BR
$1,373
3 BR
$1,877
4 BR
$2,092
Owner-occupied 86.4%
Renter-occupied 13.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,108
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,722/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
33.8 min
25% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.2%
Carpooled
11.0%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
10.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 2.5%
Total Sales Tax 8.4%
State rate 5.6%
Avg local rate 2.8%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$79,092
6% above avg
Per Capita Income
$45,450
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
57% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor Force Participation
58.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.0%
Graduate degree 13.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 54.6
Male median age 52.7
Female median age 55.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
33.7%
Good air days/yr
147
Max AQI recorded
123
PM2.5 days
179
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Catalina, AZ?

Catalina has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Catalina, AZ?

The median gross rent in Catalina is $1,108 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Catalina?

The median home value in Catalina is $267,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Catalina?

The median household income in Catalina is $79,092 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Catalina, AZ?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Catalina is 8.4%. The Arizona state income tax top rate is 2.5%.

Is Catalina, AZ affordable?

Yes, Catalina is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.