Arizona ranks as the seventh least affordable state in the nation, with household essential costs rising roughly $19,300 above pre-pandemic levels compared to the national average increase of $15,400, according to the Common Sense Institute. Housing and utilities have been the largest driver, surging 59% between 2019 and 2025, the fourth-highest increase among all states. Arizona households retain only about 19.6% of gross income after essential expenses, well below the national average of 24.7%.
