Common Sense Institute Arizona

Housing is the biggest factor driving affordability challenges in Arizona.

Over the past six years, shelter and utilities costs for a family of four increased 59% leading to the fourth-largest increase of any state.

See what CSI's research reveals about the rising cost of living in Arizona: https://bit.ly/4cuG9Dn
Read the article: https://bit.ly/4w9pJZ2

Join us for The Desert Renaissance 🎨

On September 9, Common Sense Institute will host an evening exploring the role of arts and culture in Arizona's economy.

Be among the first to see a preview presentation of CSI's new report, The Economic Contribution of Arizona's Arts Sector, followed by a panel discussion featuring leaders from Arizona's business, education, and arts communities on the opportunities shaping the state's creative economy.

📍 Ravenscroft | Scottsdale, AZ
📅 September 9, 2026
⏰ 5:00 pm-7:30 pm

Registration is now open. Reserve your seat today: https://bit.ly/3RrfRvu

We're excited to welcome Madalyn Paltzik as the 2026 Jim Kolbe Junior Fellow at Common Sense Institute.

Madalyn is a student, researcher, and founder of FutureFund, a financial education platform focused on helping families better understand college savings and affordability. Her research interests include higher education finance, behavioral economics, and public policy.

Please join us in congratulating Madalyn as she begins her fellowship with CSI.

Research from CSI shows June marked Arizona's third consecutive month of year-over-year job growth, following seven consecutive months of job losses.

The latest report found Arizona:
➡️ Added 23,600 jobs year over year
➡️ Ranked 15th nationally for job growth
➡️ Outpaced the national job growth rate by more than 2-to-1

Read the report ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3Th5pHl
Read the article:
https://bit.ly/455IEZG

Please join us in congratulating Zach Milne on his promotion to Director of Policy and Research at Common Sense Institute.

As Senior Research Analyst, Zach has played a key role in establishing CSI as a trusted source of independent economic analysis through his work on housing affordability, free enterprise, Arizona's economic competitiveness, and fiscal policy.

We look forward to his continued leadership as CSI expands its research impact and delivers the rigorous, data-driven analysis that helps shape Arizona's policy conversations.

Congratulations, Zach!

Join us for The Desert Renaissance 🎨

On September 9, Common Sense Institute will host an evening exploring the role of arts and culture in Arizona's economy.

Be among the first to see a preview presentation of CSI's new report, The Economic Contribution of Arizona's Arts Sector, followed by a panel discussion featuring leaders from Arizona's business, education, and arts communities on the opportunities shaping the state's creative economy.

📍 Ravenscroft | Scottsdale, AZ
📅 September 9, 2026
⏰ 5:00 pm-7:30 pm

Registration is now open. Reserve your seat today: https://www.commonsenseinstituteus.org/arizona/events/the-desert-renaissance?event=5ecd17cd-d337-4a3b-91ab-f4c09c42f758

Arizona's affordability crisis is making national headlines

USA Today recently highlighted Common Sense Institute research showing Arizona ranked among the least affordable states in 2025 - driven largely by soaring housing costs.

Read USA Today's coverage:
https://bit.ly/4wjpECO
Read the full report here:
https://bit.ly/4cuG9Dn

Arizona's labor market is softening, but not flashing red.

The unemployment rate has climbed to 4.9%. Similar to Arizona's 2017–2019 levels, while the number of residents receiving unemployment benefits remains within its pre-pandemic range. Learn more in the full report: https://bit.ly/3Th5pHl