$100k in Buckeye
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See the exact impact of AZ taxes and Buckeye living costs on your paycheck.
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2026 IRS Brackets • FICA Limits • State & Local Rules
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📊 Buckeye Salary Guide
Buckeye, AZ Salary Guide: The Real Value of a $100k Paycheck
You see the "Sticker Price"—$100,000. It’s a psychological milestone. But in the desert heat of Buckeye, Arizona, the only number that matters is the Net. We stripped away the government deductions to see what that salary actually buys you in one of the fastest-growing cities in the Phoenix metro area.
The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)
Here is the hard math. We took a $100,000 gross salary and applied the standard 2026 IRS tax brackets, FICA, and Arizona state taxes.
- Gross Salary: $100,000
- Federal Tax: -$13,614
- FICA Tax: -$7,650
- State Tax (AZ): -$2,500
- Total Deductions: -$23,764
Your Real Take-Home Pay: $76,236
That is a 23.8% haircut before you pay a single bill. While Arizona doesn't hit as hard as California or New York, you are still losing nearly a quarter of your earning power to taxes. On a monthly basis, you are working until mid-February just to cover your tax burden.
- Monthly Net Income: $6,353
Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)
With $6,353 hitting your bank account every month, how do you survive in Buckeye? We applied the Warren Buffett-style 50/30/20 rule to find out.
Needs ($3,176/mo)
Can you afford a roof over your head?
Buckeye is cheaper than Scottsdale, but the rental market is tightening. This budget leaves you $3,176 for rent, utilities, insurance, and groceries.
- The Verdict: You can comfortably afford a modern 1-bedroom apartment or a older 2-bedroom house. Expect to pay $1,800 - $2,100 for a decent rental. This leaves you roughly $1,000 for utilities (crucial for AC bills) and groceries. You are safe, but you aren't living lavishly in the "Needs" category.
Wants ($1,906/mo)
This is your lifestyle budget.
Dining out at Verrado’s restaurants, fueling your truck (gas is cheap here), and entertainment.
- The Verdict: This is a healthy amount for a single earner. You can drive a financed car, hit the bars in downtown Phoenix occasionally, and maintain a gym membership without stress. However, if you buy a home and your mortgage exceeds $2,000, this "Wants" category gets wiped out instantly.
Savings ($1,271/mo)
Wealth creation.
- The Verdict: This is the sweet spot. Saving $1,271 monthly puts you on track to max out a Roth IRA ($7,000/yr) and have significant cash left over for a brokerage account or emergency fund. This is where the $100k salary actually works for you. In Buckeye, this amount of savings allows for genuine wealth accumulation that is impossible in high-tax coastal cities.
Buckeye Taxes vs The Competition
To understand the value of living in Buckeye, you have to look at what you avoid.
Buckeye, AZ vs. Austin, TX:
- Buckeye: You pay $2,500 in state income tax on a $100k salary.
- Austin: Texas has 0% state income tax.
- Result: Austin wins by $2,500 a year. However, property taxes in Texas are brutal. If you buy a home in Austin, you will likely pay significantly more in property tax than the $2,500 income tax savings, erasing the advantage.
Buckeye, AZ vs. New York City:
- Buckeye: Take-home is $76,236.
- NYC: Between NY State and NYC local taxes, you’d lose roughly an additional $5,000 - $6,000 (depending on borough).
- Result: Buckeye crushes NYC. Your $100k in Buckeye effectively needs to be $115k+ in NYC just to break even on taxes, before you even pay the 40% higher rent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the income tax rate in Buckeye?
A: Buckeye follows the Arizona state tax code. For a $100,000 earner, the effective state income tax rate is approximately 2.5% ($2,500). There is no specific "Buckeye city tax."
Q: Is $100k a good salary in Buckeye?
A: Yes. A $100k salary provides a monthly net of $6,353. This allows you to follow the 50/30/20 budget rule comfortably, covering rent, saving over $1,200 a month, and having nearly $2,000 for discretionary spending.
Q: Does Buckeye have a local city tax?
A: No. Based on the provided data, the local tax rate is $0.
- Methodology: Calculations based on IRS 2026 Tax Brackets (Single Filer, Standard Deduction), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). State tax utilizes Arizona 2026 progressive brackets. Data cross-referenced with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) CPI data and State Comptroller reports for local tax verification.*