Cost of Living in Snowflake, AZ

Population 6,349 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

88
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Snowflake a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $248,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Snowflake lies roughly 115 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Scottsdale. Median home values run roughly 65% lower than Scottsdale's $710,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 81
Rent 99

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

About the Cost of Living in Snowflake

The median home value in Snowflake is $248,000 — 19% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,304/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $72,753/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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, Snowflake has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$248,000
19% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$281,471
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,304/mo
1% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.8x
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 82.5%
Renter-occupied 17.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,304
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,918/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
27.3 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
88.4%
Carpooled
4.5%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
4.8%

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
$72,753
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$22,649
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
56% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.7%
Labor Force Participation
50.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.8%
Graduate degree 10.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 26.9
Male median age 26.3
Female median age 29.5

💨 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 Snowflake, AZ?

Snowflake has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.

What is average rent in Snowflake, AZ?

The median gross rent in Snowflake is $1,304 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Snowflake?

The median home value in Snowflake is $248,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Snowflake?

The median household income in Snowflake is $72,753 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Snowflake, AZ?

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

Is Snowflake, AZ affordable?

Yes, Snowflake is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.

Snowflake at a Glance

Population
6,349
Median Income
$72,753
Home Value
$248,000
Median Rent
$1,304/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Arizona →
🗺️ County data for Arizona

Explore county-level cost of living data

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