An Overview of Cost of Living in Chandler, AZ
Understanding the cost of living in Chandler can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Chandler cost of living index is 127, which is 27% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Chandler may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Chandler falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Chandler cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 66.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Chandler, these items will cost you 15% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.
What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Chandler?
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 33 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Chandler. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 61% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 39% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Chandler Affordable?
Is Chandler an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Chandler, the median home price is 75.7% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 45.5% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Chandler come in at $85,796, which is 55.1% higher than the national average.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Chandler?
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Chandler, the groceries index registers 2.6% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Chandler comes in at 1.6% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Chandler, the transportation index stands at 23.9% higher than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The cost of living in Chandler, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.