In Arizona, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $877. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities – without paying more than 30% of income on housing – a household must earn $2,925 monthly or $35,096 annually. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into a Housing Wage of $16.87.
In Arizona, a minimum wage worker earns an hourly wage of $7.25. In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage earner must work 84 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Or a household must include 2.1 minimum wage earners working 40 hours per week year-round in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.