The Real Salary Guide: Peoria, AZ ($100,000 Analysis)

In Peoria, the "six-figure" benchmark is more than a vanity metric—it's a specific financial reality. You see the gross number, but the net determines your lifestyle. Let's cut through the noise and calculate exactly what a $100,000 salary buys you in the West Valley.

The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

The gap between your gross salary and your net pay is the "verification gap." For a $100,000 salary in Peoria, that gap is significant.

The Raw Numbers:

• Gross Annual Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• State Tax (AZ): -$2,500
• Total Deductions: -$23,764

The Verdict:
Your actual Take Home Pay is $76,236.

This represents a 23.8% total tax burden. You lose nearly a quarter of your paycheck to taxes before it ever hits your bank account. The "sticker price" of your labor is $100k, but your purchasing power is effectively $76,236.

Monthly Net: $6,353

Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With a monthly net of $6,353, the standard 50/30/20 budget rule provides a rigid framework for wealth building in Peoria.

Needs ($3,176/mo): The Rent Reality

This category covers rent, utilities, groceries, and transport. In Peoria, this amount is robust.

• Purchasing Power: The median rent for a 1-bedroom in Peoria hovers around $1,500–$1,700.
• The Surplus: After rent and utilities ($1,800), you have $1,376 remaining for groceries, insurance, and gas.
• Assessment: You can easily afford a safe, modern apartment without roommates. You are not rent-burdened.

Savings ($1,271/mo): Wealth Creation

This is where financial independence begins.

• The Strategy: $1,271 monthly is $15,252 annually.
• The Outcome: Maxing out a Roth IRA ($7,000/yr) leaves you with over $8,000 to dump into a brokerage account or high-yield savings.
• The Peoria Advantage: Unlike coastal cities where "savings" is just "rent leftover," this is genuine capital accumulation.

Wants ($1,906/mo): Discretionary Spending

Dining out, nightlife, and subscriptions. This is a healthy buffer for the West Valley lifestyle, covering everything from Topgolf rounds to weekend trips to Sedona.

Peoria Taxes vs The Competition

Peoria offers a distinct advantage in Total Tax Burden compared to major metro hubs. While you pay Federal and FICA everywhere, the local burden varies wildly.

• Peoria, AZ:

  • State Tax: Low flat rate ($2,500 on $100k).
  • Local Tax: $0
  • Total Burden: 23.8%

• New York City (Comparison):

  • State + Local Tax: High progressive (approx. $8,500+ on $100k).
  • Total Burden: ~32%
  • Result: You would lose an extra $8,000+ annually just in state/local taxes.

• Austin, TX (Comparison):

  • State Tax: 0 (No State Income Tax).
  • The Catch: High Property Tax and Sales Tax (approx. 8.25%).
  • Result: While TX has no income tax, Peoria’s low property tax rates on a $400k home often beat Austin's tax structure for homeowners.

Verdict: Peoria provides the "Tax Sweet Spot"—low enough to beat high-tax coastal states, without the inflated property tax spikes seen in other no-income-tax states.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Peoria?
A: Peoria follows Arizona state tax laws. For a $100,000 salary, the effective state income tax rate is approximately 2.5% ($2,500). There is no specific "Peoria City Tax."

Q: Is $100k a good salary in Peoria?
A: Yes. With a net monthly income of $6,353, you are well above the median household income for the area. This salary allows for comfortable housing, discretionary spending, and aggressive savings, placing you in a high financial security tier for the region.

Q: Does Peoria have a local city tax?
A: No. Residents of Peoria do not pay a local city income tax.

• Methodology: Calculations based on IRS 2026 Tax Brackets (Standard Deduction applied), Arizona State Comptroller tax tables, and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cost-of-living data for the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area. Figures are estimates for a single filer with no dependents.