The ten Greatest Locations to Reside in Arizona in 2025

When you’re planning on transferring to Arizona, add these cities to your listing.

House to pure wonders, sunny climate, and a quickly rising inhabitants, Arizona has all of it. The state can usually be break 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 infinite 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 principle northern hub, whereas Phoenix, Tucson, and their suburbs outline the south.

Arizona has seen great development in recent times. In reality, from 2023-2024, Arizona’s inhabitants elevated by 110,000. It’s anticipated to develop one other 25% by 2060. Phoenix is usually the most well-liked vacation spot, commonly 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 comparable to 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

Tucson tops our listing 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 infinite 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 positioned 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 through the summer season monsoon season from July to September. Tucson is at its greatest through 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 outstanding delicacies and dedication to Indigenous, Hispanic, and immigrant meals heritage. The town additionally certifies eating places that meet particular standards, and many individuals go to Tucson simply to expertise the scrumptious meals.

If world-renowned out of doors recreation and eating places aren’t sufficient, there’s much more that town has to supply. You may catch athletic occasions on the College of Arizona and cheer on the Wildcats, or simply discover the huge 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 nicely.

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2. Tempe, AZ

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 town’s northern edge. 

Tempe is understood for its parks, purchasing, occasions, and out of doors recreation. Fashionable spots embody Hayden Butte Protect Park, which accommodates rock artwork and desert flora, and the Tempe Market, which is house to over one million sq. toes of out of doors purchasing and eating. Close by, Tempe Seaside Park hosts out of doors festivals and different riverside actions.

Arizona State College has its important campus in Tempe, house to the universities of liberal arts, sciences, design, artwork, innovation, and sustainability. Close by, Mill Avenue provides an eclectic mixture of eating places, outlets, and nightlife.

Much 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 widespread. Summers will be dangerously scorching, although, and local weather change is poised to make them even hotter.

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3. Mesa, AZ

Mesa is the third-best place to reside in Arizona, in line with our methodology. Simply east of Tempe within the East Valley, Mesa is house to distinctive tradition, delicacies, historical past, and humanities. The favored Mesa Arts Middle hosts a wide range of exhibitions and points of interest all year long. Alongside the Salt River, you’ll discover the historic Mesa Grande Cultural Park, which accommodates the Mesa Grande temple mound, considered one of two mounts constructed by the Hohokam peoples almost 1,000 years in the past. 

A mix of suburban appeal and desert surroundings, Mesa provides a mixture of single-family properties, fashionable flats, and gated communities, many with mountain views. 

As one other Phoenix suburb, Mesa’s local weather is similar to surrounding cities, with scorching and generally moist summers, attractive falls and is derived, and gentle winters. Outside recreation is greatest within the cooler months, or throughout early morning in the summertime. Usery Mountain Regional Park is without doubt one of the hottest out of doors hotspots amongst locals, as are the numerous tennis courts, golf programs, tracks, and trails round all through town.

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4. Phoenix, AZ

The hub of the Southwest and capital of Arizona, Phoenix is fourth on our listing of the very best locations to reside in Arizona. Phoenix is chock-full of facilities, points of interest, and landmarks, together with almost 200 golf programs (The Stadium Course is the most well-known), 186 parks, and 200 miles of trails. 

Nearer to 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 biggest zero-waste sporting occasion on the planet.

One of the best season in Phoenix is from November by means of early April, whenever you’ll see blue skies and temperatures usually under 85 levels. With a Stroll Rating of 41, you’ll doubtless want a automotive to get round Phoenix, however Valley Metro supplies some gentle rail and bus choices. 

Phoenix has exploded in recognition just lately. Beginning within the 2010s, Phoenix grew to become a magnet for coastal householders searching for a change of surroundings, boosting town’s inhabitants by over 200,000 to turn into the fifth-largest metropolis within the nation. Sunny climate and reasonably priced home costs proceed to be the most important attracts. Nevertheless, many years of drought and rising warmth dangers are a rising concern. A new regular of maximum summer season warmth waves has just lately led some residents to contemplate transferring out.

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5. Flagstaff, AZ

Flagstaff is the fifth metropolis on our listing – and the one metropolis not within the desert valley. Positioned in Northern Arizona at 7,000 toes, 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 sort of a bit costlier than most cities in Arizona, although, largely attributable to its quick access to pristine out of doors recreation, cooler climate, and hip, lively tradition.

The town lies on the tall Colorado Plateau, which extends all through the 4 corners space of the Southwest and accommodates dozens of nationwide parks and monuments. The plateau is outstanding: rivers, extinct volcanoes, buttes, and canyons present colour and noteworthy variety to the area. In reality, simply north of Flagstaff are the San Francisco Peaks, which accommodates 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 way 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 nicely.

Seasonal recreation is a serious amenity in Flagstaff. Ski resorts, nordic ski trails, and sledding hills come alive through the winter, whereas festivals, markets, occasions, and extra dominate the summer season. Biking, climbing, path operating, strolling, or simply sitting and having fun with the attractive surroundings are all standard when the solar is out.

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6. Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale is available in at quantity six on our listing of the very best locations to reside in Arizona. The town is well-known for its upscale residing, luxurious spas, and golf programs, most notably TPC Scottsdale, which hosts the Phoenix Open. Though town has been touted for its prime quality of life, residing in Scottsdale will be very costly. Housing and rental costs are almost double that of Phoenix, and the price of residing is 13% greater than the nationwide common. 

Scottsdale is usually divided into 4 sections: South Scottsdale, Previous City, Central Scottsdale (Shea Hall), and North Scottsdale. All are set in opposition to the backdrop of Camelback Mountain to the west and Chaparral Park to the east. One of many costlier neighborhoods is Silverleaf at DC Ranch, which is in North Scottsdale. The neighborhoods in South Scottsdale are usually extra reasonably priced. 

With luxurious residing additionally comes an abundance of facilities. The Fifth Avenue Procuring District is the central hub of town, whereas quite a few different malls, parks, and nation golf equipment convey folks collectively. Additional to the east, The Butterfly Wonderland, OdySea Aquarium, and Paradise Earth all provide alternatives for everybody to expertise pristine pure magnificence.

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7. Yuma, AZ

Positioned within the far southwest of Arizona, within the coronary heart of the Sonoran Desert, Yuma is available in at quantity seven on our listing. Traditionally a cowboy city, Yuma is formally the sunniest metropolis on the planet and one of many hottest cities within the U.S., making it splendid for out of doors recreation, agriculture, and basking within the solar. This has turned Yuma right into a prime spot amongst snowbirding householders. In reality, town’s inhabitants almost doubles through the winter months. A really reasonably priced price of residing can also be a giant plus.

There’s quite a bit to do inside Yuma. Strolling by means of its historic downtown or exploring considered one of three close by nationwide wildlife refuges are nice choices. Mountaineering, canoeing, and biking are additionally standard.

Due to the area’s dry and sunny local weather and quick access to the Colorado River, Yuma is right for year-round agriculture. Yuma is definitely the largest producer of winter produce within the U.S., with lettuce topping the listing. Greater than 1 billion kilos of produce is harvested each month. 

Water shortage is without doubt one of 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 provided incentives to transition to extra environment friendly irrigation strategies. The state authorities and native establishments are persevering with to innovate to save lots of water with out decreasing crop yields.

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8. Chandler, AZ

If Phoenix feels too huge, Chandler could also be an amazing possibility. Simply half-hour southeast from downtown Phoenix, Chandler supplies a pleasant mixture of city facilities and laid-back residing within the Valley of the Solar. 

Chandler is understood for its agricultural and industrial historical past and celebrates it on the Chandler Museum and the Arizona Railway Museum. Extra just lately, the metropolis has forayed into the tech business and is house to 2 huge Intel campuses, in addition to different digital engineering companies. 

For sports activities followers, residing in Chandler means you may have quick access to Cactus League MLB Spring Coaching video games from February by means of March. It’s additionally handy to observe considered one of {many professional} sports activities leagues in Phoenix for a enjoyable night time out.

The town butts up in opposition to the Gila River Indian Reservation to the South and West, and primarily accommodates master-planned communities and gridded streets. The Ocotillo is a very standard and costly neighborhood constructed round an opulent golf membership.

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9. Gilbert, AZ

Simply east of Chandler, Gilbert is the eighth metropolis on our listing 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 town and residential to energetic eating places, bars, and native outlets, like Culinary Dropout, Liberty Market, and Snooze. Gilbert can also be house 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 may even take a bit longer. Much like most areas within the Phoenix metro, neighborhoods are usually break up into remoted developments which are laid out on a city-wide grid.

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10. Glendale, AZ

Glendale, AZ rounds out our listing because the tenth-best place to reside in Arizona. Simply south of Peoria, Glendale is house to sunny climate and desert mountain views. Arizona State College has a campus in Glendale as nicely.

Glendale prides itself because the Vintage Capital of Arizona and has outlets and structure in its Historic Downtown to show it. Many shops occupy outdated brick buildings, and the adjoining Catlin Court docket neighborhood options Nineteen Twenties and 30s bungalows. In whole, there are almost 70 vintage outlets and specialty shops unfold throughout ten blocks between the 2 neighborhoods. Drawn to Comics and The Astrology Retailer are standard spots alongside standard Glendale Avenue.

Glendale’s different highlights embody its parks, festivals, and nice delicacies. You may also catch springtime Cactus League baseball video games at Camelback Ranch and go to the State Farm Stadium to observe the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals through the fall and winter.

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Methodology

Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist house searchers make an knowledgeable determination when selecting the place to reside. To try 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 out of doors house, navigability, housing tendencies, employment statistics, earnings, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 20,000 or better had been thought of for our Arizona listing. Extra details about our methodology will be discovered right here.

Knowledge legitimate January 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.