Arizona · WestHigh-Cost MetroUpdated May 2026

Cost of Living in Sedona, AZ

By Sarah Chen · Reviewed by James Okafor · Updated May 2026

Detailed cost data for 62 topics across 6 categories — from rent and groceries to business startup costs and professional salaries.

Quick Compare — How Sedona stacks up
If you earnin, you'll need
$74,866
in Sedona, AZ to match the same purchasing power
That's $25,134 (-25%) vs. New York
Full side-by-side →
Cost Index
140
40% above national average
100 = national baseline
10K
Population
$74K
Median Income
$1,448/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$4,708/mo
Living Cost (Single)

Direct Answer

Sedona, AZ has a CostOfCity index of 140, which is 40% above the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,448/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $4,708/month.

Cost index
140
High-Cost Metro; 100 is national baseline
Population
10K
Official population benchmark
Median income
$74K
Official household income benchmark
Priority pages
9
Rent, salary, budget, vehicle, retirement, and comparisons
✍️ Reviewed by James Okafor, Editor-in-Chief & Consumer Finance Editor📅 Last verified: May 2026
BLSCensusHUD

How to Use This City Page

Start with rent and monthly budget, then compare salary-needed before making a relocation decision.
Use the cost index as a directional signal; neighborhood rent and commute costs can change the answer materially.
Review cheaper alternatives and nearby city comparisons if Sedona is above your target budget.
Use official/hybrid/model labels and the methodology page to understand where each estimate comes from.

Cost of Living in Sedona: The Full Picture

How does Sedona compare to the rest of America? With a population of 10,000 and an economy built on an innovation economy where venture capital and startup culture push costs into the stratosphere, this AZ smaller city has a cost profile that's distinctly its own. Farm-to-table dining and a health-conscious culture where premium grocery and fitness options are easy to find. The 62 categories below translate these broad dynamics into specific dollar figures you can plan around.

D
Overall
F
Housing
D
Food
C
Healthcare
D
Transport
D
Utilities

Sedona Cost Index by Category

Each bar shows how the Sedona cost index for that category compares to the US national baseline of 100.

Cost index vs national average — SedonaCost-of-living index for Sedona versus the US national average (baseline 100). Sedona overall sits at 140.Cost Index vs U.S. AvgNational baseline = 10050100150Sedona OverallSedona Overall: index 140 (+40 vs national average)140 (+40)HousingHousing: index 157 (+57 vs national average)157 (+57)FoodFood: index 134 (+34 vs national average)134 (+34)HealthcareHealthcare: index 124 (+24 vs national average)124 (+24)TransportTransport: index 131 (+31 vs national average)131 (+31)UtilitiesUtilities: index 129 (+29 vs national average)129 (+29)ServicesServices: index 138 (+38 vs national average)138 (+38)
Each row shows the Sedona cost index for that category vs the national baseline of 100. Bars to the right of the dashed line indicate above-average costs; bars to the left, below-average.
💼 Economy

Sedona has a lifestyle-premium market where people pay extra for sunshine, mountains, and Pacific air

🏠 Housing

The housing market features a seller's market where bidding wars are the norm, not the exception

🌤️ Climate & Lifestyle

Mild temperatures keep utility costs moderate, but the high cost of environmental compliance adds to construction and renovation budgets.. The lifestyle here is characterized by Farm-to-table dining and a health-conscious culture where premium grocery and fitness options are easy to find..

💡 The Bottom Line

With a cost index of 140, Sedona is one of the priciest metros in the country. You'll need above-average income just to maintain a standard lifestyle — but the job market and cultural offerings often justify the premium.

💰 Purchasing Power in Sedona

$50K salary
≈ $36K
-$14K real value
$75K salary
≈ $54K
-$21K real value
$100K salary
≈ $71K
-$29K real value
$150K salary
≈ $107K
-$43K real value

Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Sedona, your dollar buys 29% less than the national average.

🔺 Where Sedona Costs More

🍳 Kitchen Remodel$55K+82%
🔧 Plumbing Services$545+74%
🏠 Start an Airbnb$45K+63%
🍺 Start a Bar$779K+62%
🚚 Start a Food Truck$201K+60%

📊 Closest to National Average

Sedona is above average in most categories. These cost the least above baseline:

💰 Salary Landscape

💻 Software Developer Salary$175,697/yr+60%
🏥 Physical Therapist Salary$136,191/yr+60%
👮 Police Officer Salary$94,234/yr+48%
🔌 Electrician Salary$92,157/yr+47%
🦷 Dentist Salary$262,170/yr+46%
🏘️ Real Estate Agent Salary$110,438/yr+43%
🔧 Plumber Salary$78,960/yr+32%
🧮 Accountant Salary$93,683/yr+31%
👩‍⚕️ Registered Nurse Salary$96,338/yr+28%📚 Teacher Salary$68,242/yr+24%

vs national average · higher = better

Monthly Living Expenses in Sedona

What it actually costs to live in Sedona each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.

LifestyleSingle PersonCoupleFamily of 4
🟡Tight / Frugal$3,100/mo$5,300/mo$7,000/mo
🟢Comfortable$4,900/mo$8,100/mo$10,500/mo
🟣Generous$7,700/mo$12,600/mo$16,800/mo

Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Sedona's cost index of 140 applied to national spending surveys.

🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation

Within Sedona, costs can vary by 25-40% depending on the neighborhood. Downtown and waterfront areas typically command the highest premiums, while suburbs offer some relief — though even outer neighborhoods here run above many cities' averages.

Sedona vs U.S. Average Cost of Living

Category-by-category affordability grades — based on deviation from the national average.

Grades: A+/A = very affordable · B = average · C/D = expensive · For salaries, higher = better

🏠 Home Services in Sedona

What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels

🏠

Roof Replacement

+51%
$8K – $18K
vs nat'l avg: $9K
❄️

HVAC Installation

+49%
$7K – $15K
vs nat'l avg: $7K
🔧

Plumbing Services

+74%
$305 – $785
vs nat'l avg: $313

Electrical Work

+27%
$254 – $634
vs nat'l avg: $350
🍳

Kitchen Remodel

+82%
$27K – $82K
vs nat'l avg: $30K
🚿

Bathroom Remodel

+45%
$9K – $26K
vs nat'l avg: $12K
🎨

House Painting

+47%
$4K – $11K
vs nat'l avg: $5K
🪵

Flooring Installation

+50%
$2K – $7K
vs nat'l avg: $3K
🌿

Landscaping

+38%
$2K – $7K
vs nat'l avg: $3K
🏗️

Fence Installation

+31%
$2K – $7K
vs nat'l avg: $4K
🪟

Window Replacement

+34%
$5K – $16K
vs nat'l avg: $8K
☀️

Solar Panel Installation

+46%
$22K – $51K
vs nat'l avg: $25K
🚿

Water Heater Replacement

+39%
$1K – $5K
vs nat'l avg: $2K
🏡

Deck Building

+56%
$8K – $31K
vs nat'l avg: $13K
🏊

Pool Installation

+56%
$39K – $125K
vs nat'l avg: $53K
🌳

Tree Removal

+41%
$565 – $3K
vs nat'l avg: $1K
🚪

Garage Door Repair

+27%
$191 – $763
vs nat'l avg: $375

💼 Business Startup Costs in Sedona

Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital

🍽️

Start a Restaurant

+45%
$253K – $1.1M
vs nat'l avg: $463K

Start a Coffee Shop

+44%
$115K – $432K
vs nat'l avg: $190K
🚚

Start a Food Truck

+60%
$80K – $321K
vs nat'l avg: $125K
💪

Start a Gym

+56%
$78K – $778K
vs nat'l avg: $275K
👶

Start a Daycare

+46%
$15K – $146K
vs nat'l avg: $55K
💇

Start a Hair Salon

+48%
$92K – $738K
vs nat'l avg: $281K
🧺

Start a Laundromat

+35%
$269K – $673K
vs nat'l avg: $350K
🍞

Start a Bakery

+52%
$15K – $303K
vs nat'l avg: $105K
🍺

Start a Bar

+62%
$178K – $1.4M
vs nat'l avg: $480K
🧹

Start a Cleaning Business

+9%
$2K – $33K
vs nat'l avg: $16K
🏠

Start an Airbnb

+63%
$8K – $81K
vs nat'l avg: $28K
🚛

Start a Trucking Business

+58%
$47K – $395K
vs nat'l avg: $140K

📊 Cost of Living in Sedona

Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities

🛡️ Insurance in Sedona

Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories

🚘

Car Insurance

+36%
$2K – $4K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🏡

Home Insurance

+27%
$1K – $4K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🏥

Health Insurance

-11%
$357 – $715
vs nat'l avg: $600Details →
💼

Business Insurance

+1%
$503 – $3K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🛡️

Life Insurance

+46%
$29 – $116
vs nat'l avg: $50
🏠

Renters Insurance

+21%
$18 – $49
vs nat'l avg: $28
🐾

Pet Insurance

+22%
$24 – $109
vs nat'l avg: $55
🦷

Dental Insurance

+16%
$17 – $70
vs nat'l avg: $38
🏍️

Motorcycle Insurance

+44%
$289 – $1K
vs nat'l avg: $550

💰 Salaries & Jobs in Sedona

Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization

💻

Software Developer Salary

+60%
$175,697/yr
vs nat'l avg: $110K/yrDetails →
👩‍⚕️

Registered Nurse Salary

+28%
$96,338/yr
vs nat'l avg: $75K/yrDetails →
📚

Teacher Salary

+24%
$68,242/yr
vs nat'l avg: $55K/yrDetails →
🔌

Electrician Salary

+47%
$92,157/yr
vs nat'l avg: $63K/yr
🔧

Plumber Salary

+32%
$78,960/yr
vs nat'l avg: $60K/yr
🧮

Accountant Salary

+31%
$93,683/yr
vs nat'l avg: $72K/yr
🏥

Physical Therapist Salary

+60%
$136,191/yr
vs nat'l avg: $85K/yr
👮

Police Officer Salary

+48%
$94,234/yr
vs nat'l avg: $64K/yr
🦷

Dentist Salary

+46%
$262,170/yr
vs nat'l avg: $180K/yr
🏘️

Real Estate Agent Salary

+43%
$110,438/yr
vs nat'l avg: $78K/yr

How Much Income Do You Need in Sedona?

✅ Best For

  • High earners seeking career growth
  • Professionals in specialized fields
  • Those willing to trade cost for opportunity
  • Outdoor enthusiasts

⚠️ Not Ideal For

  • Budget-conscious retirees
  • Large families on a single income
  • Entry-level workers without savings
💬 Expert Tip

Before moving to Sedona, compare your target salary against local costs using our calculator. A higher gross salary doesn't always mean more spending power here.

How Does Sedona Compare?

Pick a nearby city and see the full cost comparison across all 62 topics.

CostOfCity Value Index

F
Sedona Value Score: 4/100
Expensive
Affordability Ratio
2.69x
Stretched
Savings Potential
0%
of median income
Value Score
0/100
income-adjusted
Growth Risk
100/100
Costs rising fast

The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.

📦

Free Relocation Blueprint

Your complete moving budget for Sedona, AZ

Monthly Budget
$3,096
Moving Costs
$4,500 – $8,000
Deposits Est.
$3,620
Cost Index
140
Median Income
$74K
Population
10K

Get a personalized PDF with first-month costs, 12-month cash projection, neighborhood tips, and a moving checklist — tailored to your household size and origin city.

Get Sedona Cost Alerts

Free monthly brief: rent shifts, insurance rate changes, and salary trends in Sedona. No spam — just the numbers that matter.

Free monthly cost alerts. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sedona

What is the median household income in Sedona?

The median household income in Sedona is approximately $62,000 per year. Adjusted for local cost of living (index: 140), this may stretch less than the raw number suggests.

Is Sedona a good place to start a business?

Sedona's business environment is shaped by AZ's regulatory framework and local commercial real estate costs. Higher operating costs require stronger revenue projections, but the market also tends to support higher price points. Check our business startup cost data for specific figures.

Is Sedona, AZ expensive to live in?

Sedona's cost of living index is 140, which is 40% above the national average of 100. This makes Sedona one of the more expensive cities in the US.

Explore Sedona in Depth

🏠 Living Alone
Solo budget breakdown for Sedona
💰 Salary Needed
Minimum salary to live in Sedona
📊 Can I Afford It?
Budget check for Sedona
📋 Monthly Budget
Full monthly breakdown
🔄 Cheaper Alternatives
Cities like Sedona but cheaper
🗺️ Arizona Overview
Compare all cities in Arizona

Nearby Cities to Compare

💡 Affordable Alternative: Glendale (95 miles away) is 31% cheaper than Sedona. Same region, significantly lower costs. Compare them →

Compare Sedona Costs Nationally

See how Sedona ranks on major household and life expenses against 300+ US cities — cheapest to most expensive.

View all 18 cost categories →

Popular Sedona cost & affordability searches