Cost of Living in
Goodyear, AZ

The Real Price Tag: Goodyear, AZ (2026)

Let's cut the marketing fluff. If you are looking at Goodyear, Arizona, as a single person aiming for a standard, non-stressed existence, you need to clear $57,838 annually after taxes. That is the baseline median income implied by the local data, and it represents the "comfort" level—not thriving, but not drowning. This figure assumes you aren't living paycheck to paycheck but are accumulating zero significant savings. The Cost of Living Index sits at 101.1, which is a statistical sleight of hand. It tells you Goodyear is barely above the national average, but it fails to account for the specific tax structures and utility bills that hit you the moment you cross the city limits. For a relocator, "average" is a trap; you need to budget for the specific Arizona premiums that drive the actual bleed.

The Big Items: Housing, Taxes, and Daily Burn

Housing is the primary battlefield. For renters, the market is tight. A standard two-bedroom unit commands roughly $1,839 monthly. If you are single, splitting a two-bedroom is the only way to get near the "comfort" level without torching 35% of your gross income. Buying, however, is currently a game of diminishing returns. While specific median home price data is elusive in this snapshot, the regional trend suggests a heavy barrier to entry. You are likely looking at high interest rates meeting high property valuations. If you put down less than 20%, you are immediately underwater on Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), flushing money down the drain. The "buy vs. rent" break-even point here has stretched out to over seven years due to the maintenance costs of homes in a desert environment. The sun beats down on everything, and roof replacement cycles are shorter than in temperate climates. That is a hidden cost baked into the purchase price that the mortgage calculator ignores.

Taxes are where the "no state income tax" banner loses its shine. Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits, but the state income tax is a graduated bracket system starting at 2.5% and rising. For a single earner clearing $57k, you are looking at a state tax bill that can easily exceed $1,500 annually, depending on deductions. However, the real gut punch is property tax. Maricopa County (where Goodyear sits) has a secondary property tax rate that is deceptively high compared to the primary rate. You aren't just paying the assessed value; you are paying for special districts. Expect effective property tax rates to hover around 0.65% - 0.75% of the assessed value. On a $450,000 home, that is roughly $3,000 annually, but special assessments for things like fire districts or flood control can add hundreds more. You are taxed on the value of the land, not just the building, and that bite is sharper than the raw percentage suggests.

Groceries and gas are the daily nickel-and-dime bleed. Food costs in Goodyear track slightly above the national baseline because of logistics; getting goods into the western suburbs costs more. Expect a single person's grocery bill to sit around $400 - $500 a month for standard items, not organic luxury. Gasoline prices fluctuate wildly, but Arizona generally relies on imports, keeping prices volatile. You are looking at $3.80 - $4.20 per gallon regularly. The kicker here is the commute. Goodyear is sprawling. If you work in Phoenix or Scottsdale, you are burning significant fuel. The "cheap" gas price is negated by the sheer distance you must drive to get anywhere of value. There is no walking to the grocery store here; the car is mandatory, and every mile adds to the maintenance cost.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs: The Desert Tax

You survive the sticker shock of the mortgage or rent, then the hidden fees start their assault. First and foremost: Water. This is the Sonoran Desert. Keeping a lawn green is a statement of wealth, not a standard expectation. Water bills for a family can easily hit $150 - $200 in the summer months. If you have a pool (and half the city does), you are adding $100 a month in water evaporation and chemicals. Then there is electricity. The data shows an average rate of 14.91 cents per kWh, but that is the base rate. APS (Arizona Public Service) and SRP use "demand charges" and time-of-use plans. Running the AC at 4 PM on a July afternoon costs you triple the base rate. Your summer electric bill will be $300+ for a modest home, simply to keep the walls from melting. This isn't a utility bill; it is a survival tax.

HOA fees are virtually guaranteed. You cannot buy a home in a decent area of Goodyear without joining a Homeowners Association. These fees range from $80 to $250 monthly. For that cost, you get your trash picked up and your entry sign maintained. It is a mandatory bleed that appears nowhere in the home price. Furthermore, insurance is a distinct beast here. While flood insurance isn't required everywhere, it is highly recommended in wash areas. Fire insurance, however, is becoming a nightmare. As the wildland-urban interface expands, insurers are pulling out or jacking rates by 20-40% annually. If your home is near a preserve or mountain preserve, you may find yourself uninsurable by standard carriers, forcing you into the "surplus lines" market at a premium.

Finally, consider the cost of simply existing. Parking is free at the mall, but try going to a major event in Phoenix or Scottsdale. You are paying $20 - $40 just to park the car. There are no toll roads to speak of in Goodyear itself, but the Loop 303 and I-10 are the arteries of the valley, and if express lanes are introduced, you will pay to sit in traffic. It is a nickel-and-dime existence where every convenience has a fee attached.

Lifestyle Inflation: The Price of Leisure

Let's look at the cost of not sitting in your beige living room staring at the wall. A "night out" in Goodyear is not cheap. A mid-range dinner for two, with two drinks and tip, will run you $100 - $120. If you venture into Scottsdale, double that. A craft pint of beer at a local brewery is hovering around $7.50 - $8.50. A gym membership at a standard facility like Planet Fitness is cheap at $25, but if you want a nicer club with classes (Life Time or similar), you are paying $120 - $160 per month. Coffee is the daily habit that destroys budgets; a decent latte will cost you $6.00. Over a work month, that is $130 for caffeine. These aren't luxuries; they are the standard costs of a social life in the suburbs, and they add up fast.

Salary Scenarios: Can You Afford It?

The following table breaks down the required income levels for different lifestyles. Note that "Single Income" assumes a household of 1-2 adults; "Family Income" assumes 2 adults and 2 children.

Scenario Analysis

Frugal Scenario: To survive on $48,000 as a single person, you are likely renting a room in a shared house or a very small studio. You are cooking 90% of your meals at home. You drive a paid-off, fuel-efficient car. You are taking advantage of Arizona's free outdoor activities—hiking in the Estrella Mountains or sitting by the community pool. You are not saving much. For a family at $75,000, this is poverty level. You are relying on dual incomes, government assistance, or extreme budgeting. You are likely living in older parts of Goodyear or Surprise, stretching the commute.

Moderate Scenario: At $65,000 single income, you are approaching the median. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment alone or a two-bedroom with a partner. You can afford a car payment on a reliable used vehicle. You can go out to eat once a week and afford the $8 beers. You are contributing a small amount to a 401k, but an unexpected $1,000 bill (like a dental emergency or car repair) would still cause panic. For a family earning $110,000, this is the working middle class. You are buying a starter home, likely older (built in the 90s). You are paying for daycare, which in Arizona averages $1,100 per month per child. You are constantly juggling the budget to cover the HOA and the summer electric bill.

Comfortable Scenario: You need to clear $90,000 as a single person to truly feel like you are "living" in Goodyear rather than just surviving. At this level, you can afford a mortgage on a median-priced home (assuming rates stabilize), max out your retirement accounts, and absorb the $300 summer electric bills without flinching. You can afford the golf club membership or the frequent trips out of state to escape the heat. For a family earning $145,000, you are secure. You can afford the better school districts (or private school), two reliable cars, and a vacation once a year. You are the target demographic for the new builds in Goodyear. You are still watching the budget, but you aren't losing sleep over the price of gas or a gallon of milk.