Cost of Living in Sedona, AZ 2022

Sedona offers its residents the best of both worlds, combining fantastic outdoor opportunities with the comfort and convenience of a modern lifestyle. With over 200 miles of biking and hiking trails, it’s no wonder that outdoor enthusiasts flock to Sedona when looking to relocate.

Nearly every apartment in Sedona boasts stunning views of the adjacent desert skyline. And if not from your immediate home, all it takes is a quick step outside or around the corner to see the breathtaking Oak Creek or Red Rock Mountains all around.

No matter why you choose to move to Sedona, you’ll want to get a good idea of what your costs will look like. So let’s look at the cost of living in Sedona to understand better how much you need to live there.

Sedona Housing Costs

Demand for rentals often declines during the winter, mainly on account of the colder weather. Sedona is in line with this national trend with declining rent prices over the past month. According to the latest Rent Report on Sedona, the median rent index is $1,595 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,950 for a two-bedroom.

Although Sedona’s rent prices declined in the winter seasons, the rent prices for a one-bedroom are still 36.0% higher year-over-year and 9% higher for a two-bedroom.

Over the last year, various Arizona cities saw significant rent increases, some even greater than Sedona. Some of the most popular cities, including their year-over-year growth, across the state, include Phoenix (+27.9%), Scottsdale (+31.1%), and Flagstaff (+23.0%). The median rent index for a two-bedroom apartment in these cities is $1,506, $1,994, and $1,675, respectively.

The Sedona housing market has seen steady, significant growth, with median home prices at $822,776. Compared to other major cities across the state, these prices are relatively high, especially when you consider the median price index of Phoenix is now at $396,063. Other comparable cities are lower, with Scottsdale at $784,305 and Flagstaff at $602,944.

Sedona Transportation

The Verde Lynx is Sedona's primary source of public transportation, helping locals get around downtown. You can access bus service from Sedona to Cottonwood onVerde Lynx, which runs seven days a week with varying hours. While public transportation in Sedona is affordable, it’s not the most reliable and not the best source if you plan to take advantage of the Sedona outdoor activities.

You might want to have a vehicle of your own to get around Sedona and enjoy the city to its fullest. If you plan to make the most out of living in Sedona, you’ll probably want to have a car to get around and see all of the sights.

If you're a single adult without children, you'll spend about $4,938 for transportation in Sedona annually. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $13,456 for transportation annually. Remember that gasoline prices in Sedona are around $4.19 per gallon, which are currently above the national average of $3.71.

Sedona Food Costs

Sedona offers countless dining options with a handful of authentic foods to add to your must-eat list, including rattlesnake sausage, empanadas, wood fired pizzas, and smoked brisket enchiladas. Bear in mind that there are costs associated with eating out in Sedona, and expect to pay around $16.00 per person for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant.

Single adults without children should expect to pay at least $3,999 on food per year. However, if you have a family of two working adults and two children, you should expect to pay $11,764 per year for food.

You can anticipate paying slightly above state averages and below national averages for food items from local grocery stores like Whole Foods Market, Safeway, or Weber’s. For example, one gallon of regular milk costs $2.96 in the grocery store, while the national average is $3.37.

Sedona Healthcare Costs

When planning your budget in Sedona, account for proper medical care. A single adult without children will pay around $2,607 for medical care annually, while working adults with two children will pay $7,925. In addition, childcare for this family will cost $12,300 per year.

Sedona Utilities

Winters in Sedona are partly cloudy and cold. The coldest days of the year fall in December, with an average overnight temperature falling below 36°F. Summers are mostly clear and hot, and July is the hottest month with an average daytime high of 93°F.

To combat the excruciating summer heat of summer and near-freezing winter cold, you'll need to account for higher utilities year-round to stay comfortable. Sedona’s basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, running $213.79 for a 915-sq. ft. apartment.

Adding on the Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $76 for a total of $289.79 each month.

Get a better idea of how much utilities will cost in an apartment before you move so that you can know what to expect and budget accordingly.

Sedona Fitness and Entertainment

Sedona’s varying weather may make it hard to get out and exercise, meaning you might want to consider fitness club membership costs to keep fit throughout the year. The monthly fee for a fitness club membership for one adult averages around $35.36.

Otherwise, when weather permits, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Sedona outdoors. Hike some of the city’s most popular trails, including Devils Bridge, Airport Loop Trail, or Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop. Sedona’s other great outdoor activities include hitting the trails on ATVs, having fun on mountain bikes, and scaling the world-famous red rocks.

Of course, you can also enjoy the indoors with plenty of entertainment options throughout the city. Some of the local favorite activities include the Verde Canyon Railroad, the Arizona Copper Art Museum, and the Cliff Castle Casino. Of course, just be sure you account for these additional expenses in your budget.** **

Other Expenses to Consider in Sedona

Arizona has a below-average income tax rate, with relatively low property tax rates to match. Unfortunately, the state’s sales tax is in the higher bracket in the country.

The state also charges a 5.6% sales tax rate, while the city of Sedona imposes its city tax on top of that. In Sedona, the sales tax is 9.85%.

Anyone moving out of state to Sedona will also need to consider costs associated with cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. Other additional fees that sneak up on you with these types of moves include application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and more.

Don’t overlook the cost of furnishing your home during your big move to Sedona. To help you save some money, get some tips for decorating your apartment on a budget.

What Salary Do I Need to Live in Sedona?

Your recommended salary in Sedona depends entirely on the type of lifestyle you plan to lead. The living wage in Sedona is $16.31 per hour, which is the basic wage needed to pay for essentials like housing, food, and necessities. When calculating your budget, account for extra costs like dining and entertainment, as they are not a part of the living wage.

The median household income in Sedona is $57,434 per year, roughly $27.61 per hour.

You can also consider the 30% rule for rent to determine your ideal salary in Sedona. When you follow this rule, you shouldn’t spend more than one-third, or 30%, of your gross income on rent.

An example of the 30% rule would be looking for a one-bedroom apartment in Sedona with an average rent price of $1,595. You can use the 30% rule to determine your minimum gross income by using the following formula:

10/3 x rent price

Based on this rule, your gross income should be about $5,317 per month or about $63,804 annually.

Keep in mind that the living wage, average salary, and recommended salary are three different tools for budgeting. It’s important to remember other additional living costs, such as dining, entertainment, etc. Once you add in these costs, you may need to adjust your apartment search for less expensive rent, a higher salary, or possibly, both.

Thankfully, the typical annual salaries for common professions in Sedona are highly competitive. For example, the three highest typical annual salaries belong to Management, Computer and Mathematical, and Architecture and Engineering, respectively.

Job Market in Sedona

The good news for anyone looking to call Sedona home is that even though the cost of living is slightly above the national average, there ia a strong job market. The unemployment rate in Sedona falls below the national average of 6.0%, currently at 5.6%. Not only has the job market in Sedona seen an increase of 2.7% year over year but future growth is anticipated to rise up 44.1% over the next decade.

Sedona has evolved into a booming economy, focusing primarily on accommodation, food services, healthcare, and social assistance. Some of the city’s major employers include the Enchantment Resort, Diamond Resorts, and Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa.

Final Thoughts

If you are interested in moving to Sedona, a city filled with unparalleled access to nature’s wonders, then you’ll need to determine which Sedona neighborhood is best for you and learn how to apartment hunt. Then, register with Apartment List today and start checking out the available apartments to rent in Sedona!

FAQs: Cost of Living in Sedona

How expensive is an apartment in Sedona?

A one-bedroom apartment in Sedona is $1,143. A two-bedroom apartment in Sedona costs $1,298.

What is the cheapest rent in Sedona

The cheapest rent in Sedona is a one-bedroom apartment. You should expect to pay an average of $1,143 for a one-bedroom apartment in Sedona.

How expensive is it to live in Sedona?

A one-bedroom apartment in Sedona costs $1,143. A single adult in Sedona should expect to pay $4,686 per year on food. For a family of two working adults and two children, that number goes up to $13,802. An adult spends about $5,316 a year on transportation in Sedona. For a family of four, that number rises to $14,058.

How far is Sedona from Phoenix?

Sedona is 115.8 miles from Phoenix. It takes about two hours and 3 minutes to drive between Sedona and Phoenix. It takes 14 hours and 32 minutes to bike from Sedona to Phoenix via Black Canyon Trail.

How far is Sedona from Flagstaff?

Sedona is 29.4 miles to Flagstaff. It takes about 51 minutes to drive between Sedona and Flagstaff. Amtrak bus service is also available between Sedona and Flagstaff, and takes about 42 minutes. If you're feeling adventurous, it takes 2 hours and 9 minutes to bike between Sedona and Flagstaff. It takes 9 hours and 5 minutes to walk between Sedona and Flagstaff.

How far is Sedona from Scottsdale?

Sedona is 125.1 miles to Scottsdale. It takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes to drive between Sedona and Scottsdale. It takes 14 hours and 43 minutes to bike between Sedona and Scottsdale.

What is the population of Sedona?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Sedona is 9,763. The population of the state of Arizona is 7,359,197.

What is a good salary in Sedona?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Sedona is $58,901. To live comfortably, we recommend following the 30% rule, and not spending more than 30% of your take home pay on rent. If a one-bedroom apartment in Sedona costs $1,143, your annual salary should be at least $45,720. If you rent a two-bedroom apartment in Sedona for $1,298, your salary should be at least $51,920.