What are the Best Places to Live in Arizona? 9 Ultimate Best Cities to Live in Arizona

Arizona is located in the middle of beautiful desert landscapes and lively urban cities.  It offers a wide range of options for those searching for the best places to live in Arizona. 

Arizona State has a lot to offer, from the big city charm to the peaceful comfort of small towns. Living here you will enjoy a variety of communities that cater to different kinds of lifestyles and preferences. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the 9 best cities to live in Arizona and help you decide where to live in Arizona.

Scottsdale

If you are searching for one of the best places to live in Arizona, Scottsdale is a good option. People living here enjoy a warm climate, beautiful desert landscapes, and many fun activities. 

Scottsdale offers a great variety of housing choices. The average home prices are around $500,000.

This place has a good education and improves earning likelihood. Highly educated people are less likely to remain unemployed, making them more desirable in the workforce.

Scottsdale’s strong economy is mainly due to some sectors, including tourism, healthcare, and technology. The city’s tourism sector produces a large amount of job opportunities that are of great benefit to women, youth, and rural communities.

The major attractions for the residence are its famous Scottsdale Arts District, which features galleries, studios, and public art installations. You can also enjoy outdoor adventures in places like McDowell Sonoran.

Phoenix

Phoenix is the state capital of Arizona. It is a great place for families, with several parks, schools, and activities that kids can enjoy.

It is very easy to find a place to live here as Phoenix provides several housing options. Average home prices are around $389,0004. 

The Arizona Department of Education ensures that in Phoenix academic progress improves day-by-day. Moreover, the Musical Instrument Museum provides a rich cultural experience for music lovers.

Phoenix has witnessed an increase in the labor force, employment rates, and earnings. If you want to purchase a place to live, the median home price in Phoenix is $389,000, which is less than the national average.

Phoenix’s unemployment rate stands at 3.4%. Industries like professional services, education, and health services provide employment opportunities.

Living here, you will get a chance to visit the Musical Instrument Museum. Moreover, The Heard Museum Shop features a mix of art and culture for visitors.

Major reasons that allow people to live a dream life include its pretty scenery, outdoor adventure options, and relatively low cost of living. These factors make Phoenix one of the best places to live in Arizona and transform it into a heaven for hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts. 

Tucson

Tucs0n is Arizona’s second-largest city. It has a rich history and a lively culture. The University of Arizona is a major attraction of Tucson, which brings a vibrant energy to the city. It is also one of the best places to live in Arizona for people who love a strong sense of community.

Finding a place to live in Tucson is easy, as this place is home to several amazing housing options. Some of the major choices that people usually consider include the Seasons Apartments, which starts from $799 monthly, and Campus Crossings at Star Pass, which are Studio apartments starting from $515 monthly.

Tucson provides its residents with quality education. Some of the major educational institutes include Arizona State University’s College of Public Service & Community Solutions, The Art Center Design College, and Wayland Baptist University.

The average cost of living in Tucson is 3%, which is below the national average. The prices for grocery and food bills are majorly less than the national average by more than 40%.

The sights that attract people to choose it as their home destination are Mount Lemmon, Saguaro National Park, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Mission San Xavier del Bac, and Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Chandler

Chandler offers its residents reasonable options for accommodation. The average home price is around $350,000, making it an attractive destination for homebuyers.  You can also opt for a variety of rental options as per your needs and budgets.

Chandler provides its residents with necessities of life like a good quality education. The Chandler Unified School District is one of the largest in the state, serving over 45,000 students across 44 schools. 

The city’s strong economy is due to some of the major industries like technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. Major companies include Intel, Microchip Technology, and Wells Fargo. The unemployment rate in Chandler is below the national average.

Chandler’s City Center is home to several historic buildings, trendy restaurants, and breathtaking art galleries. The Chandler Center for the Arts observes concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions. Desert Breeze Park is the right place to be for people who enjoy outdoor activities, as it offers lakes, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Residents of Chandler live a high quality of life. The city’s safety is exemplary with low crime rates. The average household income is around $80,000, contributing to a good lifestyle. Chandler’s sunny climate and natural wonders like the Superstition Mountains make it one of the best places to live in Arizona.

Gilbert 

Gilbert is famous for its captivating city center area and its beautiful community events. It is one of the best places to live in Arizona with your family. It has several parks, schools, and family-friendly activities.

If you’re planning to move to Gilbert don’t forget to visit the Hyatt Place Phoenix Gilbert, which is a beautiful 3-star accommodation. Here, you can enjoy many facilities like a fitness center, lounges, and free WiFi.

Gilbert has many outstanding schools, including the University of Arizona’s Gilbert campus, which provides educational opportunities such as coding boot camps and a four-year bachelor’s degree program in nursing.

Gilbert has a strong economy, mainly due to some major industries, such as clean technology, renewable energy, aerospace, aviation, and advanced manufacturing. This place is also renowned because of its remarkable progress in life sciences, leading Arizona in stem-cell therapies and regenerative medicines. 

Most famous healthcare companies like Dignity Health, Banner Health, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is the major highlight of Gilbert. Gilbert has more than 2 million square feet of hospital and clinical research services.

If you have planned to move to Gilbert you are most likely to be attracted to its lively arts and culture scene, with Saturday Art Walks, colorful wall paintings, and breathtaking art benches that glow at night. For entertainment enthusiasts, Pure Esports with 50 gaming stations, and the Hale Center Theatre are the perfect stops.

Residents of Gilbert have a good quality of life. It can be considered one of the best places to live in Arizona because of its strong economy, health, and safety.  People living here should expect hot summers, but they can cool down and relax at Frost, a local gelato and sorbet shop.

Tempe

The major highlight of Tempe is Arizona State University. Tempe is a college city with an energetic atmosphere.

Tempe provides its residents with many housing options to consider. Renting a home may cost you different prices, but you can find options as per your needs and budget.

Living in Tempe will allow you to access some of the best educational institutes like  Arizona State University (ASU).  The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership is also a great place to be as it focuses on civic education and understanding American political society. Education significantly impacts employment prospects. 

Tempe has a strong economy because of some of the major sectors like technology, healthcare, and tourism. The city’s education also correlates strongly with its economy and greatly affects the employment rates.

The people who have graduated are more likely to be employed than non-graduates. The average employment rate for tertiary-educated individuals in Tempe is over 88%, while it is about 74% for those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education.

Major attractions in Tempe include the Tempe Center for the Arts, Mill Avenue District, and the iconic Tempe Town Lake. Outdoor adventure lovers will find Papago Park a great place to be and enjoy hiking and biking trails.

With a comfortable and slightly warm climate, wide dining options, and a lively arts scene, Tempe provides a high quality of life, making it one of the best places to live in Arizona.

Flagstaff 

Flagstaff is situated in the mountains of northern Arizona. It can be considered one of the best places to live in Arizona for the people who love the outdoors. The area has plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and skiing. 

If you are looking for a safe and secure place to live with your family or planning to live alone, consider options like the Commons at Sawmill. It offers studio apartments starting from $765 monthly. 

This city provides its residents with rich educational opportunities. Flagstaff is home to nine colleges in the area, including Northern Arizona University, famous for its high-quality academics. The students of this city enjoy a unique blend of studies and social life.

Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff is the first International Dark Sky City. It is famous for its discovery of Pluto and astounding stargazing sites.  Also, for outdoor adventure lovers, Flagstaff has a lot to offer.

Cave Creek 

Cave Creek is a small town located north of Scottsdale. It is famous for its cowboy culture and its beautiful desert scenery. It’s one of the best places to live in Arizona for those who are looking for a quiet and peaceful community. Finding a place to call your home here is a small task, as Cave Creek provides a range of accommodations. 

Cave Creek has several educational institutions that promote the learning and growth of its residents. The Arizona Council on Economic Education (ACEE) is a nonprofit organization running here that encourages entrepreneurship, economic literacy, and workforce development in the state. 

As discussed earlier, educational institutes provide you with quality education and play a major role in economic growth. These schools promise to shape better-skilled individuals, which, in turn, contributes to the state’s overall progress.

The residents who want to explore this place can visit the beautiful desert landscape, art galleries, and Cave Creek Museum and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and horseback riding. 

Cave Creek provides people with a high quality of life that is infused with a close-knit community, breathtaking city views, and peaceful living. 

Peoria 

Peoria is one of the best places to live in Arizona for those who are looking for a family-oriented community. It also hosts several spring training amenities that make it a great place to live if you’re a baseball fan.

A safe and secure place to live in Peoria is fine. Whether you prefer a cozy place to enjoy bed-and-breakfasts or comfortable vacation rentals, Peoria caters to all interests. 

Peoria focuses on serving its residents with good learning facilities and education because they know it is essential for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and peaceful societies. Thus, moving to Peoria will allow you access the quality education, and it is home to institutions like PCCEO. 

Those residents who have at least a bachelor’s degree are less affected by unemployment trends, making them more desirable in the workforce. Good schooling systems play an important role in long-term economic growth.

People who move to Peoria can get a chance to enjoy a blend of local and global experiences simultaneously. The residents shouldn’t skip visiting the Illinois River and Peoria Riverfront Museum and enjoy cultural events.

Quality of Life: Nestled along the river, Peoria provides a high quality of life. Residents benefit from a blend of natural beauty, educational opportunities, and community engagement. Environmental stewardship and life skills are integral to this balanced lifestyle.

Concluding the Quest for Where to Live in Arizona

In conclusion, Arizona offers several opportunities for those searching for the best places to live in Arizona.

Whether you’re captivated by the lively urban lifestyle of cities like Phoenix and Tucson or the small-town charm of Flagstaff, there’s a perfect place waiting for you in Arizona. With its beautiful landscapes, strong economies, and friendly community, Arizona truly has something to offer to every person who chooses to live here.

So whether you’re moving here for work, retirement, or simply seeking a change of lifestyle, let this guide pave your way to find the best places to live in AZ and start a new chapter in the land of hope and happiness.

 FAQs

1. What are the most aesthetic places in Arizona?

Some of the most aesthetic places in Arizona that you can consider living in to enjoy the serene beauty include Sedona, Grand Canyon, Scottsdale, Flagstaff, and Tucson. 

2. Where can we find the best campgrounds in Arizona?

The best campgrounds in Arizona can be found in several locations across the state that provide outdoor adventure lovers an opportunity to inhale the beauty of nature. The best campgrounds in Arizona include Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park, Dead Horse Ranch State Park near Sedona, and Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in the White Mountains. 

3. Where are the best lakes in Arizona?

Some of the best lakes in Arizona include Lake Powell, Saguaro Lake, Tempe Town Lake, and Mormon Lake.

4. Which one is the most luxurious place to live in Arizona?

One of the most luxurious places to live in Arizona is Scottsdale. It is home to several upscale luxuries, beautiful accommodations, and a lively cultural scene.