Bagdad, AZ vs Catalina, AZ
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bagdad is 16.5% cheaper than Catalina. With a cost index of 77 vs 92, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bagdad to Catalina should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
Renters will find that Bagdad has a median rent of $611/month while Catalina comes in at $1,108/month, a 45% difference.
Median household income in Bagdad is $98,641 compared to $79,092 in Catalina (+24.7%). Bagdad offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bagdad spend roughly 7.4% of their income on rent, less than the 16.8% in Catalina.
Climate-wise, Catalina is notably warmer with an average of 69.8°F compared to 56.7°F in Bagdad. Bagdad receives more rainfall at 12.9" per year compared to 11.1" in Catalina.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)