Rio Rico, AZ vs Safford, AZ

Safford is moderately more affordable than Rio Rico, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Rio Rico scores 83 compared to 79 for Safford, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rio Rico can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Rio Rico is $1,049/month compared to $976/month in Safford — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Safford is more affordable at $191,600 median vs $212,600.

Median household income in Rio Rico is $63,692 compared to $65,727 in Safford (-3.1%). Safford offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Rio Rico spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Safford.