Marana, AZ vs Sun City West, AZ

Marana, AZ and Sun City West, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Marana scores 119 while Sun City West scores 116 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Marana is $1,702/month compared to $1,658/month in Sun City West — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sun City West is more affordable at $350,500 median vs $380,100.

Median household income in Marana is $108,256 compared to $63,792 in Sun City West (+69.7%). While Marana is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Marana spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 31.2% in Sun City West. The Marana ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.