What is the cost of living in Payson, AZ?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Payson has an overall cost of living index of 109, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Arizona, Payson has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Arizona's index of 100.
The standard of living in Payson ranks as #49 most affordable out of the 91 places we measured in Arizona. By definition, that implies Payson ranks as the #42 most expensive place in the Grand Canyon State.
For more reading on life in Payson, check out:
Payson Cost Of Living Vs. Arizona
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Payson. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Payson is 100.
The Groceries index in Payson is 104.
The Health index in Payson is 129.
The Housing index in Payson is 103.
The Transportation index in Payson is 109.
The Utilities index in Payson is 103.
| Living Expense | Payson | Arizona | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 109 | 100 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 129 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 113 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
Payson Cost Of Living Compared To Arizona Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Arizona, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Payson Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Payson, AZ Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Arizona, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Payson is $446,819.
The Median Rent in Payson is $1,345.
The Median Income in Payson is $67,710.
The Home Value To Income in Payson is 6.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Payson is 0.24x.
Payson, AZ Costs By Category
Detailed Payson Services costs vs. Arizona
Detailed Payson Groceries costs vs. Arizona
Detailed Payson Health costs vs. Arizona
Detailed Payson Transportation costs vs. Arizona
Payson SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Payson
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Payson. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Scottsdale, AZ has a cost of living index of 144, 1.3x Payson.
Camp Verde, AZ has a cost of living index of 102, 0.9x Payson.
Village of Oak Creek (Big Park), AZ has a cost of living index of 137, 1.3x Payson.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Payson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale, AZ | 243,821 | 144 | 1.3x |
| Camp Verde, AZ | 12,521 | 102 | 0.9x |
| Village of Oak Creek (Big Park), AZ | 6,356 | 137 | 1.3x |
| Cave Creek, AZ | 5,091 | 127 | 1.2x |
