Grand Canyon Times

Arizona families spent an average of $1,178 more for goods and services – including transportation, shelter costs, energy, and food – in July 2024 than they were spending prior to the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration.

That’s according to data released by the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee (JEC).

Per the analysis, the average Arizona household has spent a cumulative $32,625 more since January of 2021 than if pre-2021 trends under the Trump administration had continued.

As the JEC report notes, in the U.S. Census Bureau's Mountain division — which includes Arizona — the cumulative inflation rate since January 2021 is 21.8 percent, 1.6 percent higher than the national rate. Moreover, compared to July 2023, it costs the average Arizona household $127 more every month to maintain the same living standard.

The State Inflation Tracker reveals that with regard to transportation costs, the average Arizona household currently spends $315 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $10,939 since January 2021 due to inflation.

With regard to shelter costs, the average Arizona household currently spends $274 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $6,659 since January 2021 due to inflation.

In terms of energy costs, the average Arizona household currently spends $132 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $5,611 since January 2021 due to inflation.

Food costs are similarly inflated, and as a result, the average Arizona household currently spends $151 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $3,978 since January 2021 due to inflation.

Primerica's fourth quarter 2022 U.S. Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor survey — which is designed to assess the financial health of households annual incomes of $30,000 to $100,000 — found that in December 2022, 53 percent of respondents reported their financial situations as "excellent or good," compared to 65 percent in September 2020 (in June 2024, this percentage had dipped to 49 percent). Also, in December 2022, 72 percent of respondents said that their incomes were falling behind the cost of living, 22 percent more than in September 2020.

There are 4,058,320 registered voters in Arizona. In 2020, the presidential election in Arizona was decided by 10,457 votes, according to the Arizona Secretary of State. Arizonans wanting to register can do so now through October 7 on Arizona’s EZ Voter Registration portal.