Cost of Living in Oro Valley, AZ

Population 47,595 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

135
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Oro Valley cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $440,000, rents near $1,602 a month. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Oro Valley sits roughly 20 miles north of Tucson — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 82% higher than Tucson's $242,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 144
Rent 122

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

About the Cost of Living in Oro Valley

The median home value in Oro Valley is $440,400 — 44% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,602/month, 22% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $105,342/year is 41% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, 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, Oro Valley has a cost of living index of 135 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$440,400
44% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$500,735
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,602/mo
22% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,554/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9x
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 76.4%
Renter-occupied 23.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,602
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,216/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
28.6 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.6%
Carpooled
5.7%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.7%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
20.0%

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
$105,342
41% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,103
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
43% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
48.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.2%
Graduate degree 25.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 54.6
Male median age 54.6
Female median age 54.7

💨 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 Oro Valley, AZ?

Oro Valley has a cost index of 135 (100 = national average). It is 35% above the national average.

What is average rent in Oro Valley, AZ?

The median gross rent in Oro Valley is $1,602 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Oro Valley?

The median home value in Oro Valley is $440,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Oro Valley?

The median household income in Oro Valley is $105,342 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Oro Valley, AZ?

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

Is Oro Valley, AZ affordable?

Oro Valley is above average in cost of living, with an index of 135 — about 35% higher than the national average.

Oro Valley at a Glance

Population
47,595
Median Income
$105,342
Home Value
$440,400
Median Rent
$1,602/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Arizona →
🗺️ County data for Arizona

Explore county-level cost of living data

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