Cost of Living in Sierra Vista, AZ

Population 45,203 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

81
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Sierra Vista cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $239,000, rents near $1,110 a month.

Located 50 miles southeast of Tucson, Sierra Vista is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Tucson's $242,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 84

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

About the Cost of Living in Sierra Vista

The median home value in Sierra Vista is $239,000 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,110/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,783/year is 6% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, 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, Sierra Vista has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$239,000
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$297,914
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,110/mo
16% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,491/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.9x
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 61.5%
Renter-occupied 38.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,110
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,724/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
18.8 min
30% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.5%
Carpooled
9.5%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
2.4%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
10.7%

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
$69,783
6% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,109
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
17% above avg
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Labor Force Participation
57.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.1%
Graduate degree 13.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.3
Male median age 34.9
Female median age 40.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
74.5%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
1
PM2.5 days
317
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sierra Vista, AZ?

Sierra Vista has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sierra Vista, AZ?

The median gross rent in Sierra Vista is $1,110 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sierra Vista?

The median home value in Sierra Vista is $239,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sierra Vista?

The median household income in Sierra Vista is $69,783 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sierra Vista, AZ?

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

Is Sierra Vista, AZ affordable?

Yes, Sierra Vista is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

Sierra Vista at a Glance

Population
45,203
Median Income
$69,783
Home Value
$239,000
Median Rent
$1,110/mo
Unemployment
5.7%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Arizona →
🗺️ County data for Arizona

Explore county-level cost of living data

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