ABC15 Tracks Valley Affordability Amid Inflation

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To keep readers informed on affordability in the Phoenix region, ABC15 has launched an Affordability Index to track the prices of common goods and services that residents deal with regularly, including gasoline, groceries, housing, and more. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how affordability has changed over time using actual market data.

Why it matters

Inflation and rising costs of living have been major economic concerns for many Phoenix residents. ABC15's new Affordability Index aims to give the community a clearer picture of how day-to-day expenses are impacting household budgets and where costs may be stabilizing or declining.

The details

The Affordability Index is tracking the prices of key items like gasoline, groceries, rent, and mortgage payments. For example, the average gas price in the region is currently $3.08 per gallon, 11 cents higher than 2 weeks ago but 17 cents lower than a year ago. Grocery prices for staples like milk, bread, and eggs are also being monitored. On the housing front, rent prices have remained relatively stable at around $1,730 per month, while median mortgage payments have decreased by over $200 compared to last year as home values and interest rates have cooled.

• The most recent GasBuddy average is from February 4, 2026.
• Rent price data is current as of February 2026.
• Mortgage payment data is compared to the previous year.

What’s next

ABC15 has committed to regularly updating the Affordability Index with new data and providing ongoing coverage of affordability trends in the Phoenix region.