(Suburban Phoenix AZ): All figures USD. $1550 per month for rent on a 35-year-old, 1470 square foot, 4 bed/1.75 bath detached house with a small yard, attached 2-car garage, and pool in the backyard. $40 per month for pool cleaning service. Electricity is about $110 per month in the off-season/cooler months and $220 per month in the peak-season/hotter months, with 4 adults in the house.

Cable is $78 per month for digital HD service with a sports tier but no premium channels. High-speed wireless internet is $50. Water/sewer/garbage/recycling are provided by the city for about $50 a month.

The neighborhood gas station currently sells for $1.91 per gallon, but $1.81 can be found within a few miles. University students like me can use the moderately convenient public transit system for free, for others it is $2.50 for a day pass.

Food for one adult male per week from the local grocery store averages about $45 per week. When split among 4 people, my core living costs of rent, food, utilities, and transportation average about $700, not counting incidental expenses such as education costs, clothing, dining out, car repairs, etc.