Cost of Living in El Mirage, AZ

Population 35,823 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

107
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The El Mirage cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $282,000, rents near $1,682 a month. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

El Mirage sits roughly 9 miles northwest of Glendale — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Glendale's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 128

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

About the Cost of Living in El Mirage

The median home value in El Mirage is $282,000 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,682/month, 28% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,764/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, above 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, El Mirage has a cost of living index of 107 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$282,000
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$341,291
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,682/mo
28% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,879/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0x
Favors buying
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 69.7%
Renter-occupied 30.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,682
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,296/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
33.2 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.2%
Carpooled
10.1%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
13.4%

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
$74,764
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,940
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
36% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Labor Force Participation
69.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.6%
Graduate degree 5.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.4
Male median age 32.2
Female median age 32.6

💨 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 El Mirage, AZ?

El Mirage has a cost index of 107 (100 = national average). It is 7% above the national average.

What is average rent in El Mirage, AZ?

The median gross rent in El Mirage is $1,682 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in El Mirage?

The median home value in El Mirage is $282,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in El Mirage?

The median household income in El Mirage is $74,764 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in El Mirage, AZ?

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

Is El Mirage, AZ affordable?

El Mirage is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 107 (100 = US average).

El Mirage at a Glance

Population
35,823
Median Income
$74,764
Home Value
$282,000
Median Rent
$1,682/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Arizona →
🗺️ County data for Arizona

Explore county-level cost of living data

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