Arizona is perhaps best known as being home to the Grand Canyon.
With so many of the cities in the state having attractive factors such as lower costs of living, good job opportunities, and cheaper and fantastic healthcare and education systems, there is no wonder it has become one of the most popular states to move to. It also has one of the most extensive transport networks.
Chandler is just southeast of Phoenix and is known for its diversity and colorful community. It has a vibrant history and is considered one of the more progressive and dynamic cities in the state.
Overall, the cost of living in Chandler AZ is 5% higher than the national average, although if you’re moving from a bigger city like San Francisco, your living costs will actually decrease by about 42%.
So, if you’re looking to relocate, our guide has everything you need to know about the cost of living in Chandler, AZ.
The Cost Of Living In Chandler AZ
Housing
The cost of living in Chandler, AZ is steadily going up, with housing being one of the most costly expenses. This is perhaps because Arizona is becoming one of the most popular places to live.
Housing costs are around 27% higher than the national average and are generally more expensive than other coastal areas.
On top of the increased housing costs, most of the neighborhoods in Chandler are run by Home Owners Associations. The HOA manages and maintains the neighborhood – for a price. Fees for HOAs can cost up to $300 a month, so you’ll need to keep this in mind as an extra housing expense.
The 20-year fixed-rate yearly Mortgage Interest Rate in Chandler is between 2.4 – 4.9%.
For a single person, housing can cost around $7,500 a month. If you’re married, it will cost around $8,800 a year, but if you’re married with children, you can expect to pay around $11,000.
Renting a Home or Apartment in Chandler, AZ
The cost of renting depends on whether you’re living in the city center or on its outskirts. If you’re living in the city center, the cost of renting is slightly higher. For example, rent in the center will cost you around $1,300 for a 1 bedroom apartment and up to $1,900 for a 3 bedroom.
There is a chance that the cost may be cheaper or more expensive, but these averages are a great starting point to get a feel for how much you need to budget for rent.
If you’re looking at renting outside of the city center, the average costs are around $1,100 for a 1 bedroom and $1,600 for a 3 bedroom apartment.
Buying a Home or Condo in Chandler, AZ
The average house price in Chandler is around $440 – $470k. For around $450k, you can expect to buy a 1,750 square foot home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. While this may be relatively inexpensive for anyone coming from bigger cities, this is considered quite pricey for a coastal area.
If you’re buying an apartment, the same rule applies as when you’re renting. Apartments in the city center generally come with a higher price tag.
An apartment in the city center will cost you around $360 per square foot, while an apartment outside of the center will cost significantly less and come in at around $175 per square foot.
Utility Costs in Chandler, AZ
Added to the cost of housing is, of course, your utilities, including water and energy bills, and internet connectivity.
The cost of utilities is actually 4% lower than the national average. In general, and depending on your individual usage and the size of your home, the average cost of energy bills is below $200 a month.
It should be noted, though, that if you live in Arizona, you can expect an increase in your energy costs during the summer months. This is because over June, July, and August, Arizona has one of the highest state-wide temperatures.
During the summer, your air conditioner is likely to run non-stop. Based on your thermostat setting and preference for a cool indoor climate, you may have higher energy costs during the summer. Hot summers are usually followed by cooler temperatures in the winter, which means your costs will be lower.
Your internet connectivity will cost you around $80 a month for a cable or ADSL line that is 60 Mbps or more and has unlimited data. Your general prepaid local mobile tariff without any discounts or contracts will cost you around $0.07 per minute.
If you’re single, your yearly utilities will cost around $4,000 on average. For a married couple, it will cost around $6,000 a year. If you’re married with children, utility bills can cost an average of $6,800.
Healthcare
The cost of living in Chandler, AZ in relation to healthcare is slightly below the national average. In fact, it’s around 2% less for routine healthcare visits to the doctor, dentist, and optometrist. It’s also cheaper to buy prescription drugs and to take your beloved pooch to the vet.
On average, a doctor’s visit will cost you around $110, and a visit to the optometrist will cost you around $105. A standard dentist visit will cost you around $95.
If you or any of your loved ones are on prescription medications, you can expect to pay around $430 a month for these. This is, of course, altered by your personal medical needs and the conditions that you are treating.
And we can’t forget about the furry members of the family. If your pet needs a routine vet check-up, the average cost is around $50.
On average, a married couple with children will pay around $5,000 a year for their healthcare. If you don’t have children, it will cost around $6,200 per annum and around $3,000 per year for a single person.
Education and Childcare
One of the most important factors to consider when relocating is education and childcare. As a parent, it can be one of the most daunting expenses to think about.
The average cost of preschool per month is around $700 if your child is attending a private preschool. These costs can, however, be as low as $450 per month, depending on where you want to send your child to school.
If your child attends an international primary school, the average cost per school year is around $17,000.
Food and Groceries
In terms of food and grocery expenditure, the cost of living in Chandler, AZ is around 3% lower than the national average.
With a loaf of bread costing around $3, and a gallon of milk or a carton of eggs average $2 each, it’s easy to see why food expenses are so low. As a single person, you can expect to budget around $6,000 a year (or around $500 a month) for your groceries.
If you’re married, the cost goes up to around $9,000 a year ($750 per month). And, if you’re married with children, the average cost of food and groceries is around $11,500 a year, or $960 a month.
In terms of other food sources, such as restaurants and fast-food chains, the cost is also relatively low. For example, a Mcdonald’s meal will average out to around $6.50 a meal.
If you’re dining out at an inexpensive restaurant or bistro, it will cost you around $14 per person. Some great places to eat if you’re new to town that would fit an inexpensive budget are Downtown Chandler Cafe and Bar and Espo’s for some delicious and authentic Mexican food.
A mid-range restaurant would cost around $50 for two people having a 3-course meal. If you’re looking for restaurant suggestions in Chandler, some of the highest-rated restaurants include Rudy’s and SanTan Brewing Company.
If you’re heading out and grabbing yourself a quick cup of coffee, the average price for a regular cappuccino is around $5, although this largely depends on where you buy your cup of joe.
Transportation
Getting around is important, and so it can be crucial to plan for transportation costs in your new city when you relocate.
Generally, the cost of transportation is 8% lower than the national average when looking at the cost of living in Chandler, AZ. Gas has an average price of $2.50 per gallon.
If you take public transport, Chandler has a lot to offer. The Valley Metro bus service operates 365 days a year, and a one-way bus ticket will cost you around $2.
Alternatively, you can buy a monthly bus pass for around $25. The bus routes are extensive and should be able to get you where you need to go without having to rely on other forms of transportation.
Taxi fares or tariffs can vary, although the starting tariff is usually around $2.75. You can expect to pay around $2.20 per mile, and the waiting tariff per hour is around $33.
A single individual will pay around $8,000 per year or $670 a month to get around town. A married couple with two cars or using two different modes of transportation will pay around $13,500 or $1,125 a month. If you’re married with children, the cost of transport can average around $17,700 or $1,475 a month.
Possibly one of the best parts of the public transport in Chandler is the ADA Paratransit.
Simply put, ADA Paratransit is door-to-door, curb-to-curb, or shared-ride transportation offered to people with disabilities that are unable to use fixed-route trains or buses. The transport is generally offered in vans or taxicabs to accommodate wheelchairs or other necessary mobility aids.
Entertainment
One of the most important things to know about moving to Chandler is that it is a city full of fun and entertainment.
Chandler is known for its festivals and public art and has even been branded as one of the most playful cities in the state. The city puts a lot of emphasis on physical activities that can help to keep you entertained.
For example, going to a fitness club will cost you around $23 a month for a single adult. Alternatively, you can rent a tennis court on the weekend for an hour for around $10.
There is, of course, other entertainment like cinemas and local theatres. A movie ticket will cost you an average of $11 per seat.
The Cost Of Living In Chandler, AZ Versus Average Salary
The cost of living in Chandler, AZ is influenced and affected by the median household income of the city. In other words, the average household income influences the cost of housing, utilities, food, groceries, and other living expenses.
Chandler has a median household income of around $83,000, which is an astounding 40% more than any other city in the state. An individual’s median income is around $44,500. This is a whopping 37% more than the state’s median income.
Relocating to Chandler will require a salary that matches your daily expenses (groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare), your monthly housing costs (rent, mortgage, or HOA fees), and your monthly debt payments.
To determine whether or not your salary is livable when relocating to Chandler, the first step is understanding the average costs of everyday life. The 50-30-20 rule states that 50% of net income (income after taxes) should be spent on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings and investments. Therefore, you should plan your net income so that it covers all your needs, wants, and all other costs involved in living in Chandler, AZ.
Conclusion
Our simple guide to the cost of living in Chandler AZ has it all. From housing to entertainment, we’ve summarized the most important costs for you. The cost of living in Chandler, AZ is actually an average U.S city with regards to its living costs. Chandler is also considered to be within 92.1% of the national average according to the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).
If you are considering a move to Chandler, AZ in the near future consider partnering with the most trusted movers in Chandler. Pearson Moving will be more than happy to take the stress out of moving to Chandler, AZ. Give us a call or fill out an online contact form to request a complimentary estimate for your upcoming move.
