Cost of Living in Cave Creek, AZ

Population 5,033 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

220
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Cave Creek run well above the national baseline, with a median of $792,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $102,589 place the city among the better-paid Arizona metros.

Geographically, Cave Creek sits roughly 13 miles northwest of Scottsdale. Median home values run roughly 12% higher than Scottsdale's $710,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 260
Rent 160

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

About the Cost of Living in Cave Creek

The median home value in Cave Creek is $791,900 — 160% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,096/month, 60% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $102,589/year is 38% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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, Cave Creek has a cost of living index of 220 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 120% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$791,900
160% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,043,054
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,096/mo
60% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.5x
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 94.6%
Renter-occupied 5.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,096
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,710/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
33.4 min
24% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
34.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
56.0%
Carpooled
2.9%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
34.6%

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
$102,589
38% above avg
Per Capita Income
$63,573
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
27% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Labor Force Participation
47.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.5%
Graduate degree 23.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 60.3
Male median age 60.5
Female median age 60.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 72 — Moderate
11.2%
Good air days/yr
183
Max AQI recorded
91
PM2.5 days
193
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cave Creek, AZ?

Cave Creek has a cost index of 220 (100 = national average). It is 120% above the national average.

What is average rent in Cave Creek, AZ?

The median gross rent in Cave Creek is $2,096 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cave Creek?

The median home value in Cave Creek is $791,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cave Creek?

The median household income in Cave Creek is $102,589 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cave Creek, AZ?

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

Is Cave Creek, AZ affordable?

Cave Creek is above average in cost of living, with an index of 220 — about 120% higher than the national average.

Cave Creek at a Glance

Population
5,033
Median Income
$102,589
Home Value
$791,900
Median Rent
$2,096/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Sales Tax
8.4%
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🗺️ County data for Arizona

Explore county-level cost of living data

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