Cost of Living in Show Low, AZ

Population 11,913 · 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

Show Low sits on the smaller end of the Arizona city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Geographically, Show Low lies roughly 110 miles east of the nearest major metro, Scottsdale. Median home values run roughly 61% lower than Scottsdale's $710,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 90
Rent 80

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

About the Cost of Living in Show Low

The median home value in Show Low is $275,000 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,055/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,376/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, 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, Show Low has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$275,000
10% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$432,521
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,055/mo
20% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,375/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7x
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 67.7%
Renter-occupied 32.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,055
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,669/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
21.2 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.7%
Carpooled
15.8%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
2.0%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
8.7%

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
$63,376
15% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
22% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Labor Force Participation
49.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.4%
Graduate degree 10.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.7
Male median age 43.6
Female median age 46.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
79.7%
Good air days/yr
84
Max AQI recorded
2
PM2.5 days
357
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Show Low, AZ?

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

What is average rent in Show Low, AZ?

The median gross rent in Show Low is $1,055 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Show Low?

The median home value in Show Low is $275,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Show Low?

The median household income in Show Low is $63,376 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Show Low, AZ?

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

Is Show Low, AZ affordable?

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