About Raise Arizona
What Do We Do
Raise Arizona is on a mission to end poverty and create a state where businesses, families, and the economy can thrive. We do this by:
Educating
Educating businesses and consumers on the benefits of living wages.
Recruiting
Recruiting businesses to join the Raise Arizona network.
Connecting
Connecting conscientious consumers to Raise Arizona businesses.
Reasons for a Living Wage
01. Good for Business
The average cost of replacing an employee who earns minimum wage is $3,368. Research shows that higher wages lead to reduced turnover and, thus, an overall cost savings.* A majority of Arizona consumers prefer products and services from businesses that pay a living wage.*
02. Good for Families
In the US, over 70% of children born into poverty will stay in poverty for the rest of their lives. Similarly, children of higher income families are more likely to be financially independent adults. * Higher wages have the power to help end the cycle of poverty.
03. Good for Society
Money earned by low wage workers returns to the economy at a much faster rate than money earned by higher wage workers. Increasing wages stimulates demand for goods and services and leads to overall growth for communities.*
How we Calculate a Living Wage
Raise Arizona utilizes the Universal Living Wage formula. This formula relies on data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); this data is widely used by the banking and housing sectors to calculate rent and home loan rates. HUD defines housing security for an individual as spending no more than 30% of income on housing costs and determines local rental rates in line with this equation. Explore the map below to view the living wage rates for each county in Arizona.
View the Living Wage in your County
Select a county to see its current minimum wage and its current living wage.
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.
Apache County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $13.46
Difference: $3.46
1 Bedroom Rent: $700/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Cochise County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $12.44
Difference: $2.44
1 Bedroom Rent: $647/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Coconino County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $17.48
Difference: $7.48
1 Bedroom Rent: $909/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Gila County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $12.31
Difference: $2.31
1 Bedroom Rent: $640/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Graham County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $12.50
Difference: $2.5
1 Bedroom Rent: $650/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Greenlee County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $11.12
Difference: $1.12
1 Bedroom Rent: $578/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.La Paz County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $10.19
Difference: $0.19
1 Bedroom Rent: $530/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Maricopa County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $14.13
Difference: $4.13
1 Bedroom Rent: $735/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Mohave County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $11.38
Difference: $1.38
1 Bedroom Rent: $592/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Pima County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $12.38
Difference: $2.38
1 Bedroom Rent: $644/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Pinal County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $14.13
Difference: $4.13
1 Bedroom Rent: $735/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Santa Cruz County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $10.04
Difference: $0.04
1 Bedroom Rent: $522/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Yavapai County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $12.77
Difference: $2.77
1 Bedroom Rent: $644/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.Yuma County
Current Minimum Wage: $10.00
Current Living Wage: $11.81
Difference: $1.81
1 Bedroom Rent: $614/Month *
The Universal Living Wage Formula factors in the local price of a 1 bedroom apartment to calculate the effective living wage in the country.* Research conducted by Center of American Progress, Behavior Research Center, Pew Charitable Trust and Puget Sound Sage