Is South Mountain Expensive?

Phoenix, United States

-28% vs Phoenix avg

Living in South Mountain, Phoenix

South Mountain is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Phoenix, with a cost of living index of 42.4 — that is -28% compared to the Phoenix average. Ranked #26 of 30, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,044/month, compared to a range of $1,015 in Avondale to $2,030 in Paradise Valley.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of South Mountain, housing takes up roughly 32% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 16%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $41,760 before tax.

Typical Salaries in South Mountain

Salaries in South Mountain reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 42.4:

After tax and deductions of 21.4% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $41,760 would be roughly $32,823/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

42.4
COLI Index
0.72x
vs City Avg
$1,044
Est. 1BR Rent
#26
of 30 Areas
21.4%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in South Mountain

Estimated annual deductions on a $31,800 salary in South Mountain, Phoenix (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (AZ)
2.5%
Total Deductions: 21.4%
Est. Take-Home: $24,988/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in South Mountain would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $31,800
London GBP £27,367
Dubai AED AED 159,120

Other Neighborhoods in Phoenix

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Paradise Valley 82.5 1.40x +40%
Scottsdale (Old Town) 76.6 1.30x +30%
Biltmore 75.4 1.28x +28%
Arcadia 73.6 1.25x +25%
Scottsdale (North) 71.9 1.22x +22%

View all 30 neighborhoods in Phoenix →

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to South Mountain:

Garner, Raleigh Wendell, Raleigh Caucade, Nice Meinohama, Fukuoka Takamiya, Fukuoka Antioch, Nashville

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Mountain expensive in Phoenix?

South Mountain is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Phoenix. It costs about -28% less than the city average, ranking #26 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does South Mountain compare to the Phoenix average?

The cost of living in South Mountain is well below the Phoenix average. With a multiplier of 0.72x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -28% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.