Whether you’re a Northern Arizona Lumberjack fan, a University of Arizona Wildcats fan, or just a fan of great cities, weather, and people, there’s a place in Arizonafor you.
Hip millennial cities like Phoenix, cowboy and cowgirl cities like Winslow, and college cities like Tucson are great places to work, raise families, and enjoy life.
It was challenging to narrow down 53 of Arizona’s best places to live to just ten, but we did using Saturday Night Science. We compared crime, incomes, home prices, and education, among other factors, among the 53 places in Arizona.
Grab a carne asada burrito and a cold Corona, and read on.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary
The 10 Best Places To Live In Arizona For 2026
What city is the best place to live in Arizona for 2026? According to the US Census and FBI data, Paradise Valley is the best place to live in Arizona.
What follows is a breakdown of the top ten best places in Arizona, a detailed methodology, and a complete list of every place in the Copper State.
For more reading, check out:
The 10 Best Places To Live In Arizona For 2026
| Stat | Paradise Valley | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,611 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 1 | – |
| Median Home Value | $3,474,596 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $247,159 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0105 | 0.0228 |
More on Paradise Valley: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
We don’t know about you, but anytime we see “Paradise” in a name we get pretty excited. And, folks, everyone should be excited about Arizona’s #1 best place to live, Paradise Valley.
Located directly North of Scottsdale, this affluent, small town in Maricopa County scored a perfect 10/10 SnackAbility Score with an emphasis on jobs, homes, and great schools.
Paradise Valley has the 2nd unemployment rate on the list and the jobs that residents talk about at the neighborhood bar-be-ques require a degree. Matter of fact, if we had a “Smartest Places in Arizona” list Paradise Valley would probably be number one, too, as it has the largest number of residents with a Bachelors, Master, and/or Professional Degree on our list. You’re also going to need that degree to make the household median income of $247,159/year to live comfortably because Paradise Valley has the 1st median home price in the state. In fact, be prepared to pay $3,474,596 to fit in here.
| Stat | Oro Valley | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,162 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 3 | – |
| Median Home Value | $506,583 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $107,117 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0121 | 0.0228 |
More on Oro Valley: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Just a stone’s throw North of Tucson is Arizona’s 2nd best place to live, Oro Valley. This desert playground for both old and young alike is a highly sought after suburb of residents who make $107,117/year and live in homes that cost $506,583.
Incidentally, the unemployment rate in Oro Valley is quite a bit above the national average at 2.3%, so don’t pack up the “fam” and move to this desert oasis until you have a direct connection to an Oro Valley job opportunity.
When you are ready to live in Oro Valley, know that your family is going to be safe, as this city in Pima County is one of the top safest places in Arizona with a crime rate 50% below the national average. And when it comes time to send your kids off to school each day, they will be going to some of the best schools in the state: Oro Valley scored a 9.5/10 for education on our SnackAbility scale.
| Stat | Litchfield Park | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,916 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 4 | – |
| Median Home Value | $525,410 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $126,250 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0104 | 0.0228 |
More on Litchfield Park: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
Litchfield Park, located in Maricopa County near Phoenix, is the 3 best place to live in Arizona. The city’s 6,916 residents benefit from a heritage linked to Goodyear Tire & Rubber and its founder, Paul Weeks Litchfield.
Housing values at $525,410 and a median income of 126,250 reflect the area’s appeal and economic health. Low crime rates highlight the city’s focus on safety. The city’s advantageous location near Phoenix provides access to city amenities, while local gems like the Wigwam Resort contribute to the area’s allure.
| Stat | Gilbert | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 280,262 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 2 | – |
| Median Home Value | $572,507 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $122,551 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0109 | 0.0228 |
More on Gilbert: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
“Gilbert: Clean, Safe, Vibrant” has a new adjective to add to this motto, they are Arizona’s 4th “Best” place to live.
Once the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World,” the 280,262 residents who live here know what it means to work and it shows. Besides its rapid transformation from an agriculture-based community to an economically diverse suburban center, the Gilbert’s unemployment rate is 3.5% making it one of the most competitive job markets on our list.
Speaking of jobs and income, Gilbert’s 4th highest income in the state landed it on the list of the richest places in Arizona’s for 2026. You’re going to need to earn a median household income $122,551/year to afford Gilbert’s median home price of $572,507 and the city’s overall cost of living. That high income will also come in handy when you want to partake in all of the cool things that Gilbert has to offer. Yes, a high performing mountain bike to ride the expert trails at San Tan Mountain Regional Park is not only neccessary, it will cost you.
| Stat | Scottsdale | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 243,821 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 5 | – |
| Median Home Value | $858,022 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $110,886 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0204 | 0.0228 |
More on Scottsdale: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Scottsdale is not only Arizona’s 5th best place to live, it’s one of Arizona’s fanciest places. So, when the census reported that the median household income in “The West’s Most Western Town,” was the 7th in the state at $110,886/year, we did not bat an eye. So, don’t be surprised if you find an eclectic mix of people who might ask you to make the 20 minute trek to Phoenix to hike Camelback Mountain during the day only to top it off with one of Scottsdale’s top Michelin Star restaurants for an evening of fine dining.
To keep an affluent place of this nature safe, the city of Scottsdale has pulled out all of the stops: the crime rate here is 7% the national average and that is thanks to the efforts of the Greater Phoenix Police Department.
| Stat | Queen Creek | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,867 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 6 | – |
| Median Home Value | $632,223 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $141,978 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0108 | 0.0228 |
More on Queen Creek: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
Queen Creek, a thriving suburb in the southeastern part of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, offers its 71,867 residents a quality lifestyle marked by a 141,978 median income and $632,223 median home price. Its strong job market is set to expand with the opening of a major battery factory in 2025.
Education is a priority, with an 44 percentage of adults holding advanced degrees. The town’s history, originating from the “Rittenhouse” railroad stop, is celebrated at the San Tan Historical Society Museuml. Strategically located in both Maricopa and Pinal counties, Queen Creek provides the convenience of city amenities while fostering a tight-knit community culture.
| Stat | Chandler | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 280,136 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 7 | – |
| Median Home Value | $524,155 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $108,095 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0164 | 0.0228 |
More on Chandler: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
There are a bunch of reasons that Chandler is the 7th best city in Arizona. To list all of them, would require its own article.
For one, this city in Maricopa County has over 50 parks–yes, you read that right–for 280,136 residents. To put it in perspective, you could visit a different park here every month for five years. (We recommend you start with Desert Breeze Park because it has everything: bike trails, water features, and playgrounds.) However, this is not the only reason Chandler scored a 9.5/10 on our SnackAbility scale for amenities, it also has some pretty great shopping and dining.
But, what really sets Chandler apart is the number of educated residents keeping the cost of living here down. If you want to be part of the “cool Chandler kids,” you better come to the table with a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree as over half the residents here have a college degree. A degree will not only help you seem smart amongst your peers, it will also help you make the median household income of $108,095year. And that, friends, will help you pay Chandler’s median home price of $524,155.
| Stat | Wickenburg | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,059 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 8 | – |
| Median Home Value | $513,341 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $67,600 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0101 | 0.0228 |
More on Wickenburg: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Wickenburg, the 8 best place to live in Arizona, offers a mix of historic charm and modern conveniences to its 8,059 residents. Located in Maricopa County, the town provides affordable housing with a $991 median rent that matches the local 67,600 incomes. The economy is buoyed by sectors such as healthcare, offering ample job opportunities and contributing to a low 0.4% unemployment rate, placing it at 1st in the state.
Wickenburg’s residents enjoy an average 23 commute time and can access outdoor activities like Hassayampa River.
| Stat | Surprise | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,948 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 9 | – |
| Median Home Value | $422,473 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $96,711 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0104 | 0.0228 |
More on Surprise: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Given the story behind its name, living in Surprise, Arizona, comes with a certain amount of irony. It earned its unusual moniker after its founder said she “would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much.” Well, “amounting to much” is an understatement at this point. Surprise ranks as the number 9 best place to live in Arizona.
The area has a median income of $96,711 and a median home value of $422,473. The unemployment rate comes in at 4.3%. Despite its size and proximity to the big city, the crime rate in Surprise is low, coming in well below the national average. The cost of living is about standard for the U.S. as a whole.
A suburb of Phoenix, commuters have just a 45-minute trip into the heart of the city. If they head in the other direction, though, they can enjoy some of Arizona’s beautiful landscapes. The city is located near the border of the White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
| Stat | Marana | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,938 | 7,378,838 |
| Rank Last Year | 11 | – |
| Median Home Value | $436,914 | $423,329 |
| Median Income | $112,606 | $79,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0156 | 0.0228 |
More on Marana: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
There are no complaints in the “Marana department” as this place is the 10th best place to live in Arizona. And the reason the residents in Marana are so content, their cost of living is not much higher than the national average making it the 2best place to buy a home. If buying a home isn’t in your budget, Marana’s average rent is $1,818/month.
But, don’t get it twisted, you’re going to need to make $112,606/year to live comfortably in Marana. And while Marana’s overall unemployment rate is the 23rd in the state at 4.5%, the highest paying jobs are in healthcare. So, if a Professional Degree is not in your foreseeable future but living in Marana is, get to know the job market here so that you don’t miss out: Marana has been one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona for the past 10 years. Its proximity to Tucson and the 10 FWY has made it very desirable and competitive for “thirty-somethings” who want to live that small town life with big city nightlife a 30 minute Uber ride away.
Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Arizona
Best Places To Live In Arizona Size Requirement
Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Arizona, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Phoenix, with a population of 1,642,323, against places with a population of 18?
We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.
So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:
- Cities — Populations over 5,000
- Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
- Small Towns — Populations below 1,000
This filter left 53 cities, 107 towns, and 126 small towns.
We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Arizona have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’
Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Arizona
Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.
We ranked each place in Arizona across a number of criteria from one to 53, with one being the best.
We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Arizona.”
The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:
- Median Home Values
- Median Income
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Unemployment Rate
- Commute Time
- Crime
- Education Levels
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Poverty rates
Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking Arizona’s best places to live.
If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Arizona. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Paradise Valley at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Summary: The Best Places In Arizona
If you’re looking at areas in Arizona with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The best places to live in Arizona are Paradise Valley, Oro Valley, Litchfield Park, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Chandler, Wickenburg, Surprise, and Marana.
Paradise Valley made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Arizona for 2026.
If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Arizona according to the data:
- Nogales (Pop. 19,841)
- Winslow (Pop. 8,773)
- Eloy (Pop. 17,433)
For more Arizona reading, check out:
- Cheapest Places To Live In Arizona
- Most Dangerous Cities In Arizona
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Arizona
- Best Places To Retire In Arizona
- Richest Cities In Arizona
- Safest Places In Arizona
- Worst Places To Live In Arizona
Best Places To Live In Arizona Table
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income | Rent | Crime Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paradise Valley | 12,611 | 2.1% | $3,474,596 | $247,159 | $3,501 | 0.0105 |
| 2 | Oro Valley | 48,162 | 2.3% | $506,583 | $107,117 | $1,669 | 0.0121 |
| 3 | Litchfield Park | 6,916 | 3.4% | $525,410 | $126,250 | $1,922 | 0.0104 |
| 4 | Gilbert | 280,262 | 3.5% | $572,507 | $122,551 | $2,110 | 0.0109 |
| 5 | Scottsdale | 243,821 | 3.6% | $858,022 | $110,886 | $2,013 | 0.0204 |
| 6 | Queen Creek | 71,867 | 4.3% | $632,223 | $141,978 | $2,210 | 0.0108 |
| 7 | Chandler | 280,136 | 3.6% | $524,155 | $108,095 | $1,902 | 0.0164 |
| 8 | Wickenburg | 8,059 | 0.4% | $513,341 | $67,600 | $991 | 0.0101 |
| 9 | Surprise | 154,948 | 4.3% | $422,473 | $96,711 | $2,033 | 0.0104 |
| 10 | Marana | 56,938 | 4.5% | $436,914 | $112,606 | $1,818 | 0.0156 |
| 11 | Prescott | 47,400 | 4.5% | $605,543 | $70,874 | $1,395 | 0.0148 |
| 12 | Prescott Valley | 49,179 | 2.8% | $462,396 | $74,569 | $1,580 | 0.0103 |
| 13 | Thatcher | 5,439 | 4.6% | $350,904 | $82,917 | $939 | 0.0074 |
| 14 | Peoria | 196,906 | 4.0% | $488,595 | $95,815 | $1,843 | 0.0149 |
| 15 | Sahuarita | 35,862 | 6.4% | $353,394 | $104,680 | $1,837 | 0.0110 |
| 16 | Fountain Hills | 23,789 | 5.3% | $670,052 | $112,654 | $1,890 | inf |
| 17 | Goodyear | 107,645 | 4.2% | $469,424 | $103,319 | $1,956 | 0.0179 |
| 18 | Mesa | 511,764 | 4.2% | $435,133 | $82,752 | $1,620 | 0.0195 |
| 19 | Safford | 10,239 | 4.3% | $287,457 | $65,647 | $1,048 | 0.0074 |
| 20 | Tempe | 188,065 | 5.5% | $468,281 | $79,663 | $1,743 | 0.0342 |
| 21 | Flagstaff | 76,445 | 5.7% | $656,480 | $71,512 | $1,645 | 0.0269 |
| 22 | Cave Creek | 5,091 | 2.7% | $1,054,561 | $107,067 | $2,493 | inf |
| 23 | Sierra Vista | 45,155 | 4.8% | $298,883 | $70,291 | $1,150 | 0.0184 |
| 24 | Payson | 16,622 | 7.1% | $446,819 | $67,710 | $1,345 | 0.0150 |
| 25 | Maricopa | 67,163 | 5.0% | $346,283 | $96,391 | $1,998 | 0.0123 |
| 26 | Page | 7,345 | 3.3% | $378,791 | $88,826 | $653 | 0.0570 |
| 27 | Florence | 25,570 | 6.6% | $333,592 | $79,644 | $1,302 | 0.0061 |
| 28 | Somerton | 14,574 | 3.7% | $271,557 | $74,015 | $896 | 0.0071 |
| 29 | Sedona | 9,777 | 6.2% | $909,102 | $73,738 | $1,448 | 0.0163 |
| 30 | Avondale | 92,477 | 3.6% | $398,567 | $86,123 | $1,832 | 0.0268 |
| 31 | Chino Valley | 13,602 | 5.3% | $500,150 | $61,237 | $1,248 | 0.0057 |
| 32 | Show Low | 12,102 | 4.7% | $436,997 | $60,368 | $1,110 | 0.0306 |
| 33 | Cottonwood | 12,580 | 3.1% | $397,513 | $48,448 | $1,120 | 0.0149 |
| 34 | Kingman | 34,375 | 6.7% | $273,782 | $61,792 | $1,058 | 0.0379 |
| 35 | El Mirage | 36,088 | 5.8% | $342,377 | $78,050 | $1,806 | 0.0163 |
| 36 | Phoenix | 1,642,323 | 5.0% | $410,168 | $81,332 | $1,582 | 0.0316 |
| 37 | Apache Junction | 41,058 | 6.5% | $376,627 | $60,975 | $1,146 | 0.0198 |
| 38 | Camp Verde | 12,521 | 5.8% | $431,371 | $69,203 | $1,059 | 0.0133 |
| 39 | Glendale | 252,833 | 5.6% | $407,332 | $73,530 | $1,528 | 0.0319 |
| 40 | Snowflake | 6,444 | 2.5% | $344,540 | $76,174 | $1,350 | 0.0451 |
| 41 | Casa Grande | 60,905 | 6.1% | $319,031 | $69,983 | $1,386 | 0.0214 |
| 42 | Yuma | 100,139 | 6.3% | $301,507 | $65,482 | $1,114 | 0.0170 |
| 43 | Tolleson | 7,668 | 2.4% | $394,929 | $59,626 | $1,309 | 0.0947 |
| 44 | Tucson | 547,073 | 6.2% | $324,023 | $57,073 | $1,145 | 0.0391 |
| 45 | Globe | 7,195 | 3.0% | $238,040 | $69,170 | $858 | 0.0618 |
| 46 | Guadalupe | 5,272 | 4.5% | $243,844 | $51,354 | $872 | inf |
| 47 | Douglas | 15,981 | 12.3% | $173,569 | $42,019 | $772 | 0.0158 |
| 48 | San Luis | 37,337 | 8.0% | $238,910 | $59,400 | $741 | 0.0066 |
| 49 | Benson | 5,417 | 8.7% | $253,541 | $49,346 | $783 | 0.0208 |
| 50 | Coolidge | 16,636 | 14.1% | $270,014 | $67,023 | $1,314 | 0.0224 |
| 51 | Nogales | 19,841 | 15.7% | $220,631 | $43,214 | $737 | 0.0380 |
| 52 | Winslow | 8,773 | 8.9% | $203,633 | $58,346 | $1,051 | 0.0424 |
| 53 | Eloy | 17,433 | 6.2% | $275,409 | $55,736 | $978 | 0.0163 |
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