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City Report · AZ

Cottonwood

Pop. 12,580·18th most expensive in Arizona·Cottonwood rents are up 9.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,940/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.3%
Month-over-Month
+4.6%
vs US Median
-$25
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cottonwood · $1,940
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
48% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,940/mo, rent takes about 48% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/yr
Local median income
$48,448/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Cottonwood's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,010
1 BR
$1,190
2 BR
$1,480
3 BR
$2,040
4 BR+
$2,350
Research median
$1,480/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,280/yr
At $1,940/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.3% YoY, +4.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Cottonwood, AZ is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,580
Median income
$48,448
Median age
54.7
Renters
46.4%
Age distribution
15.8%
23.8%
12.7%
36.8%
Under 1810.9%
18–3415.8%
35–5423.8%
55–6412.7%
65+36.8%
Gender
45.2%
54.8%
Male45.2%
Female54.8%
Race & ethnicity
74.4%
23.4%
White74.4%
Hispanic23.4%
Asian0.5%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
24%
38.4%
27.5%
No HS diploma10.2%
HS diploma24%
Some college38.4%
Bachelor's+27.5%
Housing tenure
53.6%
46.4%
Owner53.6%
Renter46.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Cottonwood, AZ has changed in 5 years

Income
$39,437 → $48,448
up 22.8%
Population
12,073 → 12,580
up 4.2%
Renter share
51.9% → 46.4%
-5.5 pts
Bachelor's+
22.8% → 27.5%
+4.7 pts
Median age
53.3 → 54.7
+1.4 yrs

Median household income rose from $39,437 to $48,448 between 2021 and 2024, a 22.8% shift. The population has grown by 4.2% since 2021, moving from about 12,073 residents to roughly 12,580. Renters now make up 46.4% of households, compared with 51.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 27.5% of adults here, versus 22.8% in 2021.

Community

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View Cottonwood rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cottonwood on your salary?

At $1,940/mo, how Cottonwood rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cottonwood rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Cottonwood. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cottonwood

About renting in Cottonwood, AZ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cottonwood is $1,940/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,190/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,040/mo.

At 48% of local median household income ($48,448/yr), Cottonwood ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottonwood an affordable city for renters?

Cottonwood is considered stretched for renters. At $1,940/mo, rent takes approximately 48% of the local median household income ($48,448/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cottonwood significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Cottonwood?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,940/mo in Cottonwood. The local median household income is $48,448/yr, meaning the typical Cottonwood household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cottonwood?

Rent in Cottonwood has increased 9.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Cottonwood rent compare to other cities in Arizona?

Cottonwood is middle-of-the-pack for Arizona for rent, ranking #18 out of 51 tracked cities at $1,940/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cottonwood?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cottonwood ($1,940/mo): Prescott Valley ($1,804/mo), Prescott ($1,841/mo).

What percentage of Cottonwood residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.4% of Cottonwood households are renters, while 53.6% are owner-occupied. Cottonwood leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cottonwood rent compare to the national average?

Cottonwood's median rent of $1,940/mo is $25 (1%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Arizona, it ranks #18 out of 51 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
48%
STRETCHED

At $1,940/mo, rent takes ~48% of Cottonwood's median household income ($48,448/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cottonwood 48%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
Run the Cottonwood affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cottonwood, AZ

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