The 10 Best Small Towns In Arizona For 2022


We used science and data to determine which small towns in Arizona are the best of the best.

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You've seen these lists before: Best places to live in Arizona, Most Beautiful Downtowns, etc., etc. But all of them focus on major cities and towns in the Grand Canyon State and no one pays attention to the little guy.

Well, that's all about to change as we put together a list of the best small towns in Arizona based on numbers--not opinions or hearsay.

We'll dive right into our methodology in the next section; but first, we thought you might just want to know which places in Arizona ranked the based--you know, based on science.

Before we get to the top 15, here's a look at the 10 Best Small Towns To Live in Arizona for 2022.

What's the best small town in Arizona? Fort Valley is the best small town in Arizona based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Fort Valley, chances are, you're not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.

But for the rest of you--keep reading and we'll get to just why these small towns made our list.

For more reading on the Grand Canyon State check out:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Arizona For 2022

1. Fort Valley

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,108
Median Income: $124,792 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $715,100 (2nd Best)
More on Fort Valley: Data | Homes For Sale

2. Rio Verde

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,327
Median Income: $125,611 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $544,100 (3rd Best)
More on Rio Verde: Data | Homes For Sale

3. Pinetop Country Club

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,567
Median Income: $66,786 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $265,600 (11th Best)
More on Pinetop Country Club: Data | Homes For Sale

4. Carefree

Carefree, AZ

Source: Wikipedia User Marine 69-71 | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,863
Median Income: $112,768 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $758,200 (1st Best)
More on Carefree: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

5. Doney Park

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,891
Median Income: $74,861 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $380,500 (4th Best)
More on Doney Park: Data | Homes For Sale

6. Kachina Village

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,154
Median Income: $71,250 (7th Best)
Median Home Value: $285,100 (8th Best)
More on Kachina Village: Data | Homes For Sale

7. Wagon Wheel

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,116
Median Income: $47,171 (38th Best)
Median Home Value: $191,000 (21st Best)
More on Wagon Wheel: Data | Homes For Sale

8. Pinetop-Lakeside

Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ

Source: Wikipedia User John from tucson az | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,409
Median Income: $49,534 (35th Best)
Median Home Value: $247,500 (14th Best)
More on Pinetop-Lakeside: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

9. Eagar

Eagar, AZ

Source: Flickr User Mesa0789 | CC BY-ND 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 4,910
Median Income: $68,140 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $175,000 (27th Best)
More on Eagar: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

10. Joseph City

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,908
Median Income: $64,979 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $134,400 (40th Best)
More on Joseph City: Data | Homes For Sale

11. Tubac

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,223
Median Income: $68,835 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $341,200 (5th Best)
More on Tubac: Data | Homes For Sale

12. Clifton

Clifton, AZ

Source: Wikipedia User Ron Reiring | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,689
Median Income: $67,127 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $71,000 (78th Best)
More on Clifton: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

13. Desert Hills

Desert Hills, AZ

Source: Wikipedia
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,580
Median Income: $50,150 (33rd Best)
Median Home Value: $191,600 (20th Best)
More on Desert Hills: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

14. Parks

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,388
Median Income: $73,618 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $335,400 (6th Best)
More on Parks: Data | Homes For Sale

15. St. Johns

St. Johns, AZ

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,507
Median Income: $60,264 (20th Best)
Median Home Value: $101,800 (54th Best)
More on St. Johns: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Arizona

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using the most recent data from the Census's 2016-2020 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Lowest Unemployment Rates
  • Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
  • Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
  • Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
  • Commute Times (Lower is better)
Best States In America

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which, there were a lot - 100 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 100, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Arizona. Top of that list -- Fort Valley. You can download the data here.

Keep reading to find out more about our top 15 best small towns in Arizona.

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

We said it once and we'll say it again -- this list: it's just science. We did the research, we crunched the numbers, and it turns out, these 15 small towns in Arizona are the best, in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

If you're curious, here are the worst small towns in Arizona:

  1. Lukachukai
  2. Peridot
  3. Bylas

For more Arizona reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Small Towns In Arizona

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value
1 Fort Valley, AZ 2,108 $124,792.0 $715,100.0
2 Rio Verde, AZ 2,327 $125,611.0 $544,100.0
3 Pinetop Country Club, AZ 1,567 $66,786.0 $265,600.0
4 Carefree, AZ 3,863 $112,768.0 $758,200.0
5 Doney Park, AZ 4,891 $74,861.0 $380,500.0
6 Kachina Village, AZ 3,154 $71,250.0 $285,100.0
7 Wagon Wheel, AZ 1,116 $47,171.0 $191,000.0
8 Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 4,409 $49,534.0 $247,500.0
9 Eagar, AZ 4,910 $68,140.0 $175,000.0
10 Joseph City, AZ 1,908 $64,979.0 $134,400.0
11 Tubac, AZ 1,223 $68,835.0 $341,200.0
12 Clifton, AZ 3,689 $67,127.0 $71,000.0
13 Desert Hills, AZ 2,580 $50,150.0 $191,600.0
14 Parks, AZ 1,388 $73,618.0 $335,400.0
15 St. Johns, AZ 3,507 $60,264.0 $101,800.0
16 Kearny, AZ 2,431 $57,321.0 $107,200.0
17 Mescal, AZ 1,403 $50,086.0 $117,300.0
18 Pine, AZ 1,700 $52,821.0 $331,900.0
19 Linden, AZ 2,507 $66,528.0 $264,800.0
20 Parker, AZ 3,174 $60,461.0 $157,700.0
21 Clarkdale, AZ 4,367 $29,343.0 $277,500.0
22 Cornville, AZ 3,247 $68,229.0 $266,000.0
23 Central Heights-Midland City, AZ 2,768 $68,750.0 $97,800.0
24 Cactus Flats, AZ 1,356 $43,125.0 $185,400.0
25 Springerville, AZ 2,208 $46,359.0 $110,400.0
26 Pima, AZ 2,523 $44,353.0 $126,100.0
27 Strawberry, AZ 1,100 $41,250.0 $238,600.0
28 Dewey-Humboldt, AZ 4,123 $50,878.0 $217,500.0
29 Mohave Valley, AZ 2,809 $54,385.0 $167,300.0
30 Williams, AZ 3,234 $55,873.0 $257,000.0
31 Tombstone, AZ 1,205 $37,031.0 $136,300.0
32 Bluewater, AZ 1,061 $46,932.0 $56,500.0
33 Cienega Springs, AZ 1,969 $42,585.0 $154,200.0
34 Centennial Park, AZ 1,123 $64,483.0 $187,100.0
35 St. David, AZ 1,481 $44,722.0 $118,100.0
36 Benson, AZ 4,857 $42,120.0 $108,100.0
37 Claypool, AZ 1,061 $65,313.0 $95,000.0
38 Fredonia, AZ 1,059 $45,924.0 $139,100.0
39 Oracle, AZ 3,932 $41,500.0 $176,600.0
40 Whetstone, AZ 2,995 $50,712.0 $144,700.0
41 Valle Vista, AZ 2,800 $43,750.0 $189,300.0
42 Swift Trail Junction, AZ 2,731 $54,500.0 $101,400.0
43 Taylor, AZ 4,255 $54,412.0 $201,500.0
44 Spring Valley, AZ 1,668 $41,522.0 $126,200.0
45 Superior, AZ 3,120 $33,036.0 $100,300.0
46 Window Rock, AZ 2,451 $36,853.0 $69,000.0
47 Lake Of The Woods, AZ 3,652 $45,149.0 $159,600.0
48 Kykotsmovi Village, AZ 1,106 $55,000.0 $91,900.0
49 Heber-Overgaard, AZ 2,494 $34,977.0 $189,700.0
50 Donovan Estates, AZ 1,325 $44,231.0 $85,500.0
51 Huachuca City, AZ 1,954 $42,026.0 $95,900.0
52 Scenic, AZ 1,758 $44,510.0 $194,400.0
53 Willcox, AZ 3,507 $35,000.0 $71,400.0
54 Lake Montezuma, AZ 4,707 $41,778.0 $201,800.0
55 Tonto Basin, AZ 1,743 $43,250.0 $152,900.0
56 Ajo, AZ 2,691 $41,032.0 $99,500.0
57 Naco, AZ 1,156 $37,188.0 $67,400.0
58 Bouse, AZ 1,175 $28,818.0 $95,200.0
59 Miami, AZ 1,919 $32,292.0 $67,000.0
60 Hondah, AZ 1,152 $85,682.0 $75,500.0
61 Congress, AZ 1,846 $48,080.0 $173,400.0
62 Quartzsite, AZ 3,756 $17,083.0 $42,700.0
63 Arivaca Junction, AZ 1,072 $43,588.0 $92,900.0
64 North Fork, AZ 1,963 $66,923.0 $69,800.0
65 First Mesa, AZ 1,914 $45,625.0 $65,000.0
66 Wellton, AZ 3,091 $47,597.0 $78,500.0
67 Fort Defiance, AZ 4,209 $38,598.0 $33,700.0
68 Gila Bend, AZ 1,955 $41,500.0 $103,700.0
69 Three Points, AZ 4,620 $42,337.0 $98,600.0
70 Lechee, AZ 1,435 $60,156.0 $81,200.0
71 Cordes Lakes, AZ 2,662 $39,750.0 $105,600.0
72 Pirtleville, AZ 1,233 $40,227.0 $78,900.0
73 Mammoth, AZ 1,527 $40,000.0 $70,300.0
74 San Manuel, AZ 3,688 $40,769.0 $81,000.0
75 Black Canyon City, AZ 2,685 $37,165.0 $134,600.0
76 Chinle, AZ 4,291 $30,667.0 $31,600.0
77 Mayer, AZ 1,847 $46,229.0 $115,100.0
78 Ehrenberg, AZ 1,005 $38,393.0 $155,900.0
79 White Mountain Lake, AZ 2,947 $41,493.0 $117,700.0
80 Sells, AZ 2,453 $41,483.0 $44,500.0
81 Second Mesa, AZ 1,817 $44,226.0 $102,300.0
82 Shongopovi, AZ 1,219 $37,955.0 $93,300.0
83 Canyon Day, AZ 1,626 $30,848.0 $59,000.0
84 Hotevilla-Bacavi, AZ 1,110 $29,438.0 $112,500.0
85 San Carlos, AZ 4,555 $33,661.0 $50,300.0
86 Leupp, AZ 1,216 $52,656.0 $67,700.0
87 Cibecue, AZ 1,834 $16,058.0 $57,800.0
88 Sacaton, AZ 2,484 $25,750.0 $87,700.0
89 Whiteriver, AZ 4,081 $35,422.0 $57,700.0
90 Ak-Chin Village, AZ 1,202 $25,391.0 $85,300.0
91 Dolan Springs, AZ 1,989 $28,292.0 $83,600.0
92 Kaibito, AZ 1,755 $55,789.0 $53,900.0
93 Casa Blanca, AZ 1,009 $25,789.0 $75,200.0
94 Tsaile, AZ 1,345 $28,438.0 $63,900.0
95 Peach Springs, AZ 1,363 $38,095.0 $46,100.0
96 Dilkon, AZ 1,235 $35,865.0 $82,900.0
97 Blackwater, AZ 1,740 $30,063.0 $157,400.0
98 Bylas, AZ 1,290 $30,938.0 $32,300.0
99 Peridot, AZ 1,416 $36,688.0 $23,500.0
100 Lukachukai, AZ 1,774 $22,321.0 $51,400.0
Download The Entire Arizona Ranking Data

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in Arizona.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns