Cost of Living in Gold Canyon, AZ

Population 12,488 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

129
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a median age of 66, Gold Canyon functions largely as a retirement market. Housing costs — $470,000 for a typical home — anchor most household budgets, and the state's treatment of pension income tends to matter more than wage-driven tax comparisons. An unemployment rate of 2.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 15 miles northeast of San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 28% higher than San Tan Valley's $366,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 154
Rent 92

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

About the Cost of Living in Gold Canyon

The median home value in Gold Canyon is $469,600 — 54% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,213/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $85,833/year is 15% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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, Gold Canyon has a cost of living index of 129 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$469,600
54% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$487,427
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,213/mo
8% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,048/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
32.3x
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 94.3%
Renter-occupied 5.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,213
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,827/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
35.1 min
30% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
24.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.3%
Carpooled
5.0%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
0.5%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
24.8%

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
$85,833
15% above avg
Per Capita Income
$59,648
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
39% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Labor Force Participation
32.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.5%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 66.1
Male median age 67.1
Female median age 64.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 64 — Moderate
29.9%
Good air days/yr
709
Max AQI recorded
44
PM2.5 days
155
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Gold Canyon, AZ?

Gold Canyon has a cost index of 129 (100 = national average). It is 29% above the national average.

What is average rent in Gold Canyon, AZ?

The median gross rent in Gold Canyon is $1,213 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gold Canyon?

The median home value in Gold Canyon is $469,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Gold Canyon?

The median household income in Gold Canyon is $85,833 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gold Canyon, AZ?

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

Is Gold Canyon, AZ affordable?

Gold Canyon is above average in cost of living, with an index of 129 — about 29% higher than the national average.

Gold Canyon at a Glance

Population
12,488
Median Income
$85,833
Home Value
$469,600
Median Rent
$1,213/mo
Unemployment
2.9%
Sales Tax
8.4%
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🗺️ County data for Arizona

Explore county-level cost of living data

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