At $1,848/mo, rent takes about 46% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,848 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Cottonwood changed +2.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 45 Arizona cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.6%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($48,448) is $1,211 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,190); a 2-bedroom is $1,480.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Cottonwood. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Cottonwood, AZ has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Cottonwood on your salary?
At $1,848/mo, how Cottonwood rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Cottonwood rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Cottonwood. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Cottonwood
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Cottonwood is $1,848/mo as of October 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 46% of local median household income ($48,448/yr), Cottonwood ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Cottonwood?
How does Cottonwood rent compare to other cities in Arizona?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cottonwood?
At $1,848/mo, rent takes ~46% of Cottonwood's median household income ($48,448/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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