Americans love Arizona! And why wouldn’t you? The state is also known as the Grand Canyon State. Arizona’s population reached 7.5 million, and it is expected to increase by another 1 million people by 2029. This will be mainly because the state has a great job market and an excellent education system.
Apart from the pleasant weather, the Grand Canyon State offers affordable living. The cost of living in the state is just 6% higher than the national average. Arizona is one of the few states in the country that has recovered from its pandemic-inflicted job losses, regaining 105.1% of jobs. Let’s explore the best places to live in Arizona.
Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in AZ
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Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in AZ
View 4,561 Homes For Sale in Arizona
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3 Reasons to Live in Arizona
- Quality Education: The Arizona State University is rated no.1 in innovation among American Universities, ahead of Stanford, MIT, and Caltech.
- Excellent Job Opportunities: In the last decade, Arizona’s IT industry has generated over $3.7 billion in revenue and added over 11,600 new jobs.
- Affordable Healthcare: In Arizona, the cost of healthcare services such as body check-ups and dentistry is 4% less than the national average.
Best Places to Live in Arizona
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gilbert | 275,346 | $564,211 | $7,462 | 3.30% | 62/100 |
| 2. | Scottsdale | 243,050 | $790,183 | $7,468 | 3.20% | 62/100 |
| 3. | Flagstaff | 75,907 | $633,425 | $8,286 | 4.20% | 58/100 |
| 4. | Tucson | 546,574 | $323,872 | $6,493 | 4.20% | 57/100 |
| 5. | Chandler | 280,711 | $518,555 | $7,462 | 3.30% | 62/100 |
| 6. | Phoenix | 1,644,409 | $417,088 | $7,468 | 3.80% | 62/100 |
| 7. | Mesa | 512,498 | $431,563 | $7,468 | 3.80% | 62/100 |
1. Gilbert
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.6% |
| Median Income | $105,733 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,462 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.30% |
The median home price in Gilbert has gone down by 6.9% as compared to last year. The crime rate in the city is 10.4%, lower than the national rate of 22.7%. The schools in the city offer holistic education, with more than 70 schools with A- grades on average.
Gilbert has a booming job market, the city is home to big corporates like Banner Health and GoDaddy Software Inc. Over the years, Gilbert’s economy has flourished in sectors like health sciences, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, and, retail marketing.
» Homes for Sale in Gilbert, AZ: View thousands of properties for sale in Gilbert.
2. Scottsdale
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.8% |
| Median Income | $97,409 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,468 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.20% |
With beautiful resorts, great weather, and excellent health care, Scottsdale has got it all. The unemployment rate in the city is 4.7%, lower than the national average. The job market in Scottsdale is expected to grow by 51.2% in the next ten years.
The median home price in Scottsdale has gone down by 3.5%, as compared to last year. The transportation cost in the city is 4% less than the national average. Also, Scottsdale has great connectivity, the Phoenix metro area is just a 21-minute drive from the city center.
» Homes for Sale in Scottsdale, AZ: Find your dream home online.
3. Flagstaff
| Home Value | ⬆️ 5.2% |
| Median Income | $61,026 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,286 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.20% |
Flagstaff’s employment rate increased by 2% in 2023. The job market is projected to increase by 37.8% in the next ten years. Also, the income tax rate in the city is 4.2%, lower than the national rate.
The median home price in Flagstaff is $633,425. The utility prices in the city are 10% lower than the national average. Moreover, the city has an excellent educational setup. Schools in Flagstaff spend $8,679 per student, higher than the average of many prominent cities in the country.
» Homes for Sale in Flagstaff, AZ: Find the best properties in the Flagstaff neighborhood.
4. Tucson
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.1% |
| Median Income | $48,058 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,493 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.20% |
The Wall Street Journal describes Tucson as a “Mini Mecca of Arts”. The city is famous for its huge myriad of museums, theatres, music concerts, and art fairs. Also, the city has been declared at low risk of natural disasters by the NOAA National Climatic Data Center.
The median home price in Tucson is $325,000. The city’s cost of living is 2% lower than the state average. Furthermore, CBRE has ranked Tucson among the top 15 tech talent markets, making the city ideal for young tech professionals.
» Homes for Sale in Tucson, AZ: Find your dream home in Tucson.
5. Chandler
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.8% |
| Median Income | $91,299 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,462 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.30% |
Chandler is home to big job-creating corporations like Wells Fargo, and Intel. The city has a flourishing job market and offers an exclusive rich culture. Chandler offers great access to the transportation network. The city center is just a 20-minute drive from major hubs like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The median home price in Chandler is $518,555. The average rent for a 944 sq. ft. apartment in the city is $1,811. Also, the city is home to the prestigious Chandler-Gilbert Community College which is ideal for higher education.
» Homes for Sale in Chandler, AZ: View the best luxurious properties for sale in Chandler.
6. Phoenix
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.5% |
| Median Income | $64,927 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,468 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.80% |
The median home price in Phoenix is $440,000. The city’s cost of living is 2% less than the state average. Also, Phoenix is home to big financial giants like JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, American Express, and Bank of America.
Phoenix has an excellent neighborhood, it is located between cities like Texas, El Paso, and Los Angeles. Moreover, the city is known as the “Valley of the Sun” with more than 300 sunny days, the most of any other city in the country.
» Homes for Sale in Phoenix, AZ: View the best properties in Phoenix online.
7. Mesa
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.8% |
| Median Income | $72,944 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,468 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.80% |
The median home price in Mesa is $450,000. The cost of living in the city is just 3% higher than the national average. Moreover, the city has a great educational setup and more than 36.9% of the population has a college degree.
Mesa is home to some big corporations like Banner Health and Boeing Company. The city’s unemployment rate is 3.90%, which is decreasing at a decent pace.
» Homes for Sale in Mesa, AZ: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
Best Places to Live in Arizona for Families
School districts, safe neighborhoods, and good connectivity are necessary when moving with your family. Here are the best cities in Arizona for families:
- Oro Valley: The city offers excellent healthcare to its residents and is home to the highly-rated Oro Valley Hospital. Also, the FBI‘s crime data rates Oro Valley better than 47% of all U.S. cities.
- Paradise Valley: The city is adjacent to the Scottsdale Unified School District, which is home to the top-ranked schools in the country. Furthermore, the Paradise Valley Hospital was rated an A grade in 2023 in Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety grading system.
Best Places to Live in Arizona for Young Adults
Here are the best places to live in Arizona for Young Adults:
- Glendale: The average salary for a college graduate in Glendale is $20,287. The job market is projected to increase by 46.1% in the next ten years, higher than the national projection.
- Queen Creek: The average salary in the city is $30,547, higher than the national average. The job market saw a growth of 3.3% over the last year.
Bottom Line
Arizona is the best place to live in the US due to its thriving job market and great climate. Other things that contribute are its low crime rate and excellent city life.
The Grand Canyon State’s current population is 7.5 million and it’s projected to increase by 1 million by 2029. Moreover, the state is ranked 5th in the best economies of the country.
In some cities, the median home price is around $325,000, whereas in cities like Scottsdale, it can go up to $790,183. So, you must do your research before you move to Arizona. To start your home search, browse properties online.
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Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Arizona. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Arizona and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Arizona Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Arizona for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best city in Arizona?
Phoenix is the best city in Arizona, It is home to big financial giants like JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, American Express, and Bank of America.
Which is the best place to live in Arizona?
Gilbert is the best place to live in Arizona. The city is one of the safest in the state and has a flourishing job market.
Which is the best place to live in Arizona for retirees?
Scottsdale is the best place to live for retirees. The city has a good health care system and excellent accessibility.
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