San Tan Valley, AZ vs Tempe, AZ

San Tan Valley, AZ and Tempe, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. San Tan Valley scores 123 while Tempe scores 120 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 San Tan Valley is $1,857/month compared to $1,623/month in Tempe — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tempe has cheaper rent, San Tan Valley actually has lower median home values ($365,900 vs $421,900).

Median household income in San Tan Valley is $93,642 compared to $77,643 in Tempe (+20.6%). While San Tan Valley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of San Tan Valley spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Tempe.