Should you’re planning on transferring to Arizona, add these cities to your record.
House to pure wonders, sunny climate, and a quickly rising inhabitants, Arizona has all of it. The state can usually be cut up into two sections: the cooler, mountainous area within the north; and the recent, dry desert area within the south.
Within the north lies the wondrous Grand Canyon, offering countless panoramic views of mile-deep canyons. To the south lies the Sonoran Desert, a dry, cactus-filled panorama the place the vast majority of the state’s inhabitants lives. Flagstaff is the primary northern hub, whereas Phoenix, Tucson, and their suburbs outline the south.
Arizona has seen super development lately. The truth is, from 2023-2024, Arizona’s inhabitants elevated by 110,000. It’s anticipated to develop one other 25% by 2060. Phoenix is usually the popular vacation spot, frequently topping nationwide migration charts for homebuyers seeking to relocate.
So, along with Phoenix, which different cities in The Grand Canyon State present essentially the most bang for his or her buck? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the very best locations to reside in Arizona, rating them on qualities resembling affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You could find extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
1. Tucson, AZ
Inhabitants:
547,239
Common Commute Time:
22.4 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$24,468
Median Sale Worth:
$324,500
Median Hire Worth:
$1,431
Unemployment Fee:
4.6%
Tucson tops our record as the very best place to reside in Arizona. House to attractive climate, a world-renowned biking race, and surrounded by 4 mountain ranges with countless vistas and mountain climbing trails, Tucson is really an out of doors haven. For instance, Saguaro Nationwide Park and Catalina State Park provide ample alternatives for mountain climbing, tenting, and wildlife viewing. Close by, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum highlights the area’s distinctive historical past.
Tucson is situated at a better elevation than neighboring Phoenix. Thus, it’s about 5 levels cooler and sees almost 4 extra inches of rain. Most rain usually is available in bursts throughout the summer season monsoon season from July to September. Tucson is at its finest throughout the fall and spring, when sunny and gentle climate dominate the forecast.
Maybe most famously, Tucson is a UNESCO Metropolis of Gastronomy, giving credence to the area’s exceptional delicacies and dedication to Indigenous, Hispanic, and immigrant meals heritage. Town additionally certifies eating places that meet particular standards, and many individuals go to Tucson simply to expertise the scrumptious meals.
If world-renowned outside recreation and eating places aren’t sufficient, there’s much more that the town has to supply. You may catch athletic occasions on the College of Arizona and cheer on the Wildcats, or simply discover the large campus and partake in a big selection of actions 12 months spherical. The realm’s economic system is highlighted by the UofA and the aerospace sector, with choices in healthcare and plenty of different industries as properly.
Tucson houses on the market | Tucson homes for hire | Tucson residences for hire
2. Tempe, AZ
Inhabitants:
189,834
Common Commute Time:
21.3 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$33,205
Median Sale Worth:
$480,000
Median Hire Worth:
$1,826
Unemployment Fee:
4.2%
Tempe is available in because the second-best place to reside in Arizona. This suburban metropolis is nestled between Scottsdale and Mesa simply east of Phoenix, with the Salt River meandering alongside the town’s northern edge.
Tempe is thought for its parks, purchasing, occasions, and outside recreation. Common spots embrace Hayden Butte Protect Park, which incorporates rock artwork and desert flora, and the Tempe Market, which is residence to over 1,000,000 sq. toes of out of doors purchasing and eating. Close by, Tempe Seaside Park hosts outside festivals and different riverside actions.
Arizona State College has its important campus in Tempe, residence to the universities of liberal arts, sciences, design, artwork, innovation, and sustainability. Close by, Mill Avenue presents an eclectic mixture of eating places, retailers, and nightlife.
Just like most different Southern AZ cities, the very best instances to expertise Tempe are from late fall to early spring, when the solar is out, temperatures are decrease, and rain is much less frequent. Summers will be dangerously sizzling, although, and local weather change is poised to make them even hotter.
Tempe houses on the market | Tempe homes for hire | Tempe residences for hire
3. Mesa, AZ
Inhabitants:
511,648
Common Commute Time:
25.4 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$30,903
Median Sale Worth:
$460,000
Median Hire Worth:
$1,806
Unemployment Fee:
3.3%
Mesa is the third-best place to reside in Arizona, in accordance with our methodology. Simply east of Tempe within the East Valley, Mesa is residence to distinctive tradition, delicacies, historical past, and humanities. The favored Mesa Arts Middle hosts a wide range of exhibitions and sights all year long. Alongside the Salt River, you’ll discover the historic Mesa Grande Cultural Park, which incorporates the Mesa Grande temple mound, one among two mounts constructed by the Hohokam peoples almost 1,000 years in the past.
A mix of suburban appeal and desert surroundings, Mesa presents a mixture of single-family houses, fashionable residences, and gated communities, many with mountain views.
As one other Phoenix suburb, Mesa’s local weather is similar to surrounding cities, with sizzling and typically moist summers, attractive falls and comes, and gentle winters. Outside recreation is finest within the cooler months, or throughout early morning in the summertime. Usery Mountain Regional Park is among the hottest outside hotspots amongst locals, as are the numerous tennis courts, golf programs, tracks, and trails round all through the town.
Mesa houses on the market | Mesa homes for hire | Mesa residences for hire
4. Phoenix, AZ
Inhabitants:
1,650,070
Common Commute Time:
26.2 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$31,427
Median Sale Worth:
$445,000
Median Hire Worth:
$1,962
Unemployment Fee:
3.6%
The hub of the Southwest and capital of Arizona, Phoenix is fourth on our record of the very best locations to reside in Arizona. Phoenix is chock-full of facilities, sights, and landmarks, together with almost 200 golf programs (The Stadium Course is essentially the most well-known), 186 parks, and 200 miles of trails.
Nearer to the town heart, world well-known museums just like the Heard Museum and Phoenix Artwork Museum dot the gridded streets, whereas the Desert Botanical Backyard highlights the varied flora within the space. Sports activities followers can cheer on the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), and catch the PGA Waste Administration Phoenix Open in close by Scottsdale, the most important zero-waste sporting occasion on the earth.
The very best season in Phoenix is from November by early April, while you’ll see blue skies and temperatures usually beneath 85 levels. With a Stroll Rating of 41, you’ll possible want a automobile to get round Phoenix, however Valley Metro supplies some gentle rail and bus choices.
Phoenix has exploded in reputation not too long ago. Beginning within the 2010s, Phoenix grew to become a magnet for coastal owners in search of a change of surroundings, boosting the town’s inhabitants by over 200,000 to turn into the fifth-largest metropolis within the nation. Sunny climate and inexpensive home costs proceed to be the most important attracts. Nevertheless, many years of drought and growing warmth dangers are a rising concern. A brand new regular of maximum summer season warmth waves has not too long ago led some residents to think about transferring out.
Phoenix houses on the market | Phoenix homes for hire | Phoenix residences for hire
5. Flagstaff, AZ
Inhabitants:
76,586
Common Commute Time:
15.4 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$26,969
Median Sale Worth:
$660,000
Median Hire Worth:
$2,213
Unemployment Fee:
5.0%
Flagstaff is the fifth metropolis on our record – and the one metropolis not within the desert valley. Positioned in Northern Arizona at 7,000 toes, the town is surrounded by the Coconino Nationwide Forest. And because it’s simply 80 miles southeast of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff is an out of doors paradise. Flagstaff is kind of a bit dearer than most cities in Arizona, although, largely because of its easy accessibility to pristine outside recreation, cooler climate, and hip, lively tradition.
Town lies on the tall Colorado Plateau, which extends all through the 4 corners space of the Southwest and incorporates dozens of nationwide parks and monuments. The plateau is exceptional: rivers, extinct volcanoes, buttes, and canyons present colour and noteworthy range to the area. The truth is, simply north of Flagstaff are the San Francisco Peaks, which incorporates the state’s highest level, Humphreys Peak (12,633’).
Flagstaff experiences all 4 seasons, with very snowy winters and heat and sunny summers. The local weather is dry, however like many of the state it sees monsoons from July to September. Flagstaff is much cooler than lowland areas of the state and has seen temperatures as little as -30°F, though excessive highs and lows are uncommon. Wildfires will be a difficulty in the summertime as properly.
Seasonal recreation is a serious amenity in Flagstaff. Ski resorts, nordic ski trails, and sledding hills come alive throughout the winter, whereas festivals, markets, occasions, and extra dominate the summer season. Biking, climbing, path working, strolling, or simply sitting and having fun with the attractive surroundings are all well-liked when the solar is out.
Flagstaff houses on the market | Flagstaff homes for hire | Flagstaff residences for hire
6. Scottsdale, AZ
Inhabitants:
244,394
Common Commute Time:
21.8 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$64,992
Median Sale Worth:
$857,500
Median Hire Worth:
$2,882
Unemployment Fee:
2.1%
Scottsdale is available in at quantity six on our record of the very best locations to reside in Arizona. Town is known for its upscale dwelling, luxurious spas, and golf programs, most notably TPC Scottsdale, which hosts the Phoenix Open. Though the town has been touted for its top quality of life, dwelling in Scottsdale will be very costly. Housing and rental costs are almost double that of Phoenix, and the price of dwelling is 13% larger than the nationwide common.
Scottsdale is usually divided into 4 sections: South Scottsdale, Outdated City, Central Scottsdale (Shea Hall), and North Scottsdale. All are set towards the backdrop of Camelback Mountain to the west and Chaparral Park to the east. One of many dearer neighborhoods is Silverleaf at DC Ranch, which is in North Scottsdale. The neighborhoods in South Scottsdale are usually extra inexpensive.
With luxurious dwelling additionally comes an abundance of facilities. The Fifth Avenue Purchasing District is the central hub of the town, whereas quite a few different malls, parks, and nation golf equipment deliver individuals collectively. Additional to the east, The Butterfly Wonderland, OdySea Aquarium, and Paradise Earth all provide alternatives for everybody to expertise pristine pure magnificence.
Scottsdale houses on the market | Scottsdale homes for hire | Scottsdale residences for hire
7. Yuma, AZ
Inhabitants:
100,858
Common Commute Time:
16.7 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$26,679
Median Sale Worth:
$295,000
Median Hire Worth:
$1,595
Unemployment Fee:
4.7%
Positioned within the far southwest of Arizona, within the coronary heart of the Sonoran Desert, Yuma is available in at quantity seven on our record. Traditionally a cowboy city, Yuma is formally the sunniest metropolis on the earth and one of many hottest cities within the U.S., making it supreme for outside recreation, agriculture, and basking within the solar. This has turned Yuma right into a prime spot amongst snowbirding owners. The truth is, the town’s inhabitants almost doubles throughout the winter months. A really inexpensive value of dwelling can be an enormous plus.
There’s so much to do inside Yuma. Strolling by its historic downtown or exploring one among three close by nationwide wildlife refuges are nice choices. Climbing, canoeing, and biking are additionally well-liked.
Due to the area’s dry and sunny local weather and easy accessibility to the Colorado River, Yuma is right for year-round agriculture. Yuma is definitely the most important producer of winter produce within the U.S., with lettuce topping the record. Greater than 1 billion kilos of produce is harvested each month.
Water shortage is among the main points the area faces. Yuma sees lower than 4 inches of rain per 12 months, and the Colorado River, which provides 36% of Arizona’s water, has been overallocated for many years. Because of this, farmers in Yuma have made cuts to their irrigation use, and the state has supplied incentives to transition to extra environment friendly irrigation strategies. The state authorities and native establishments are persevering with to innovate to avoid wasting water with out decreasing crop yields.
Yuma houses on the market | Yuma homes for hire | Yuma residences for hire
8. Chandler, AZ
Inhabitants:
280,711
Common Commute Time:
24.9 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$42,580
Median Sale Worth:
$549,500
Median Hire Worth:
$2,266
Unemployment Fee:
3.1%
If Phoenix feels too huge, Chandler could also be an excellent choice. Simply half-hour southeast from downtown Phoenix, Chandler supplies a pleasant mixture of city facilities and laid-back dwelling within the Valley of the Solar.
Chandler is thought for its agricultural and industrial historical past and celebrates it on the Chandler Museum and the Arizona Railway Museum. Extra not too long ago, the town has forayed into the tech business and is residence to 2 large Intel campuses, in addition to different digital engineering companies.
For sports activities followers, dwelling in Chandler means you will have easy accessibility to Cactus League MLB Spring Coaching video games from February by March. It’s additionally handy to observe one among {many professional} sports activities leagues in Phoenix for a enjoyable night time out.
Town butts up towards the Gila River Indian Reservation to the South and West, and primarily incorporates master-planned communities and gridded streets. The Ocotillo is a very well-liked and costly neighborhood constructed round an expensive golf membership.
Chandler houses on the market | Chandler homes for hire | Chandler residences for hire
9. Gilbert, AZ
Inhabitants:
275,411
Common Commute Time:
27.1 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$39,073
Median Sale Worth:
$555,000
Median Hire Worth:
$2,373
Unemployment Fee:
2.9%
Simply east of Chandler, Gilbert is the eighth metropolis on our record of the very best locations to reside in Arizona. Gilbert’s most well-known attraction is its downtown, referred to as the Heritage District. The Heritage District is the center of the town and residential to full of life eating places, bars, and native retailers, like Culinary Dropout, Liberty Market, and Snooze. Gilbert can be residence to many parks, together with Freestone District Park and the Riparian Protect at Water Ranch.
Gilbert is a bit more costly than close by Chandler and Mesa, and residential costs have almost doubled since January 2020. Commuting into Phoenix will even take a little bit longer. Just like most areas within the Phoenix metro, neighborhoods are usually cut up into remoted developments which are laid out on a city-wide grid.
Gilbert houses on the market | Gilbert homes for hire | Gilbert residences for hire
10. Glendale, AZ
Inhabitants:
253,855
Common Commute Time:
28.6 minutes
Per-Capita Earnings:
$26,395
Median Sale Worth:
$449,050
Median Hire Worth:
$1,971
Unemployment Fee:
3.7%
Glendale, AZ rounds out our record because the tenth-best place to reside in Arizona. Simply south of Peoria, Glendale is residence to sunny climate and desert mountain views. Arizona State College has a campus in Glendale as properly.
Glendale prides itself because the Vintage Capital of Arizona and has retailers and structure in its Historic Downtown to show it. Many shops occupy previous brick buildings, and the adjoining Catlin Courtroom neighborhood options Twenties and 30s bungalows. In whole, there are almost 70 vintage retailers and specialty shops unfold throughout ten blocks between the 2 neighborhoods. Drawn to Comics and The Astrology Retailer are well-liked spots alongside well-liked Glendale Avenue.
Glendale’s different highlights embrace its parks, festivals, and nice delicacies. You may as well catch springtime Cactus League baseball video games at Camelback Ranch and go to the State Farm Stadium to observe the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals throughout the fall and winter.
Glendale houses on the market | Glendale homes for hire | Glendale residences for hire
Methodology
Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist residence searchers make an knowledgeable choice when selecting the place to reside. To aim to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes under consideration a number of key components, together with entry to healthcare, open outside area, navigability, housing traits, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 20,000 or better have been thought-about for our Arizona record. Extra details about our methodology will be discovered right here.
Knowledge legitimate January 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
