Fountain Hills, AZ vs Safford, AZ

The cost of living difference between Fountain Hills, AZ and Safford, AZ is dramatic. Safford is 74.8% cheaper than Fountain Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fountain Hills has a cost index of 138 while Safford sits at 79, 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 Fountain Hills is $1,781/month compared to $976/month in Safford — a 83% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Safford is more affordable at $191,600 median vs $575,200.

Median household income in Fountain Hills is $104,788 compared to $65,727 in Safford (+59.4%). The higher salaries in Fountain Hills partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fountain Hills spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Safford.