Home / Compare / El Mirage vs Flowing Wells

El Mirage, AZ vs Flowing Wells, AZ

111
El Mirage
Arizona
VS
+54.9%
72
Flowing Wells
Arizona

The cost of living difference between El Mirage, AZ and Flowing Wells, AZ is dramatic. Flowing Wells is 54.9% cheaper than El Mirage, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. El Mirage has a cost index of 111 while Flowing Wells sits at 72, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in El Mirage is $1,682/month compared to $1,123/month in Flowing Wells — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Flowing Wells is more affordable at $51,800 median vs $282,000.

Median household income in El Mirage is $74,764 compared to $40,769 in Flowing Wells (+83.4%). While El Mirage is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of El Mirage spend roughly 27% of their income on rent, less than the 33.1% in Flowing Wells. The El Mirage ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (72.5°F vs 69.8°F). Flowing Wells receives more rainfall at 11.1" per year compared to 8.9" in El Mirage.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
El Mirage
111
Flowing Wells
72
35% cheaper
Median Household Income
El Mirage
$74,764
45% higher
Flowing Wells
$40,769

Housing

Median Rent
El Mirage
$1,682
Flowing Wells
$1,123
33% cheaper
Median Home Value
El Mirage
$282,000
Flowing Wells
$51,800
82% cheaper
Population
El Mirage
35,823
Flowing Wells
16,989

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

$
Formula:

Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
El Mirage $1,556
Flowing Wells $1,072
31% cheaper
1 Bed
El Mirage $1,692
Flowing Wells $1,198
29% cheaper
2 Bed
El Mirage $1,971
Flowing Wells $1,544
22% cheaper
3 Bed
El Mirage $2,634
Flowing Wells $2,146
19% cheaper
4 Bed
El Mirage $2,937
Flowing Wells $2,462
16% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
El Mirage $3.02
Flowing Wells $2.97
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
El Mirage $2.46
Flowing Wells $2.42
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
El Mirage $3.96
Flowing Wells $3.90
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
El Mirage $1.82
Flowing Wells $1.79
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
El Mirage $4.08
Flowing Wells $4.01
US $4.14
Electricity
El Mirage $0.16
Flowing Wells $0.16
US $0.19

Climate

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

Avg Temp
El Mirage 72.5°F
Flowing Wells 69.8°F
Summer High
El Mirage 104°F
Flowing Wells 99°F
Winter Low
El Mirage 44°F
Flowing Wells 41°F
Rainfall
El Mirage 8.9"
Flowing Wells 11.1"
Rainy Days
El Mirage 35d
Flowing Wells 66d