The ten Greatest Locations to Dwell in Arizona in 2025

In the event you’re planning on transferring to Arizona, add these cities to your checklist.

House to pure wonders, sunny climate, and a quickly rising inhabitants, Arizona has all of it. The state can typically be cut up into two sections: the cooler, mountainous area within the north; and the new, dry desert area within the south.

Within the north lies the wondrous Grand Canyon, offering limitless panoramic views of mile-deep canyons. To the south lies the Sonoran Desert, a dry, cactus-filled panorama the place nearly all of the state’s inhabitants lives. Flagstaff is the principle northern hub, whereas Phoenix, Tucson, and their suburbs outline the south.

Arizona has seen super development in recent times. 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 most popular 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 probably the most bang for his or her buck? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered one of the best locations to stay in Arizona, rating them on qualities akin to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You will discover extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.

1. Tucson, AZ

Tucson tops our checklist as one of the best place to stay in Arizona. House to beautiful climate, a world-renowned biking race, and surrounded by 4 mountain ranges with limitless vistas and mountaineering trails, Tucson is actually an outside haven. For instance, Saguaro Nationwide Park and Catalina State Park provide ample alternatives for mountaineering, tenting, and wildlife viewing. Close by, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum highlights the area’s distinctive historical past.

Tucson is positioned at the next elevation than neighboring Phoenix. Thus, it’s about 5 levels cooler and sees practically 4 extra inches of rain. Most rain typically is available in bursts through the summer time monsoon season from July to September. Tucson is at its finest through the fall and spring, when sunny and delicate 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 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 large campus and partake in a big selection of actions 12 months spherical. The world’s financial system is highlighted by the UofA and the aerospace sector, with choices in healthcare and plenty of different industries as properly.

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2. Tempe, AZ

Tempe is available in because the second-best place to stay 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. Common spots embrace Hayden Butte Protect Park, which comprises rock artwork and desert flora, and the Tempe Market, which is dwelling to over 1,000,000 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 principal campus in Tempe, dwelling to the universities of liberal arts, sciences, design, artwork, innovation, and sustainability. Close by, Mill Avenue gives an eclectic mixture of eating places, outlets, and nightlife.

Just like most different Southern AZ cities, one of the 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.

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3. Mesa, AZ

Mesa is the third-best place to stay in Arizona, in response to our methodology. Simply east of Tempe within the East Valley, Mesa is dwelling to distinctive tradition, delicacies, historical past, and humanities. The favored Mesa Arts Middle hosts quite a lot of exhibitions and sights all year long. Alongside the Salt River, you’ll discover the historic Mesa Grande Cultural Park, which comprises the Mesa Grande temple mound, certainly one of two mounts constructed by the Hohokam peoples practically 1,000 years in the past. 

A mix of suburban appeal and desert surroundings, Mesa gives 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 generally moist summers, beautiful falls and comes, and delicate winters. Outside recreation is finest within the cooler months, or throughout early morning in the summertime. Usery Mountain Regional Park is likely 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 checklist of one of the best locations to stay in Arizona. Phoenix is chock-full of facilities, sights, and landmarks, together with practically 200 golf programs (The Stadium Course is the most well-known), 186 parks, and 200 miles of trails. 

Nearer to town middle, world well-known museums just like the Heard Museum and Phoenix Artwork Museum dot the gridded streets, whereas the Desert Botanical Backyard highlights the various 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 this planet.

The very best season in Phoenix is from November by way of early April, once you’ll see blue skies and temperatures typically beneath 85 levels. With a Stroll Rating of 41, you’ll probably 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 owners in search of a change of surroundings, boosting town’s inhabitants by over 200,000 to change into the fifth-largest metropolis within the nation. Sunny climate and inexpensive home costs proceed to be the largest attracts. Nonetheless, many years of drought and rising warmth dangers are a rising concern. A new regular of maximum summer time 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 checklist – 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 outside paradise. Flagstaff is sort of a bit costlier than most cities in Arizona, although, largely as a result of its easy accessibility to pristine out of doors recreation, cooler climate, and hip, energetic tradition.

Town lies on the tall Colorado Plateau, which extends all through the 4 corners space of the Southwest and comprises dozens of nationwide parks and monuments. The plateau is exceptional: rivers, extinct volcanoes, buttes, and canyons present shade and memorable variety to the area. The truth is, simply north of Flagstaff are the San Francisco Peaks, which comprises 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 a lot 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 properly.

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 time. Biking, climbing, path operating, strolling, or simply sitting and having fun with the attractive surroundings are all well-liked when the solar is out.

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6. Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale is available in at quantity six on our checklist of one of the best locations to stay in Arizona. Town is well-known for its upscale dwelling, 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, dwelling in Scottsdale will be very costly. Housing and rental costs are practically double that of Phoenix, and the value of dwelling is 13% increased 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 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 typically extra inexpensive. 

With luxurious dwelling 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 individuals 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 checklist. Traditionally a cowboy city, Yuma is formally the sunniest metropolis on this planet and one of many hottest cities within the U.S., making it ultimate for out of doors recreation, agriculture, and basking within the solar. This has turned Yuma right into a prime spot amongst snowbirding owners. The truth is, town’s inhabitants practically doubles through the winter months. A really inexpensive value of dwelling can be a giant plus.

There’s rather a lot to do inside Yuma. Strolling by way of its historic downtown or exploring certainly one of three close by nationwide wildlife refuges are nice choices. Mountain 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 good for year-round agriculture. Yuma is definitely the largest producer of winter produce within the U.S., with lettuce topping the checklist. Greater than 1 billion kilos of produce is harvested each month. 

Water shortage is likely one of the major 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. In consequence, 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 save lots of water with out lowering crop yields.

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8. Chandler, AZ

If Phoenix feels too massive, Chandler could also be a terrific 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 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 trade and is dwelling to 2 large Intel campuses, in addition to different digital engineering corporations. 

For sports activities followers, dwelling in Chandler means you’ve got easy accessibility to Cactus League MLB Spring Coaching video games from February by way of March. It’s additionally handy to look at certainly one of {many professional} sports activities leagues in Phoenix for a enjoyable evening out.

Town butts up in opposition to the Gila River Indian Reservation to the South and West, and primarily comprises master-planned communities and gridded streets. The Ocotillo is a very well-liked and costly neighborhood constructed round an expensive golf membership.

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9. Gilbert, AZ

Simply east of Chandler, Gilbert is the eighth metropolis on our checklist of one of the best locations to stay 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 vigorous eating places, bars, and native outlets, like Culinary Dropout, Liberty Market, and Snooze. Gilbert can be dwelling 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 practically doubled since January 2020. Commuting into Phoenix will even take slightly longer. Just like most areas within the Phoenix metro, neighborhoods are typically cut up into remoted developments which can be laid out on a city-wide grid.

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10. Glendale, AZ

Glendale, AZ rounds out our checklist because the tenth-best place to stay in Arizona. Simply south of Peoria, Glendale is dwelling 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 outlets 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 practically 70 vintage outlets 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 can even catch springtime Cactus League baseball video games at Camelback Ranch and go to the State Farm Stadium to look at the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals through the fall and winter.

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Methodology

Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Dwell rankings are supposed to assist dwelling searchers make an knowledgeable resolution when selecting the place to stay. To try to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes into consideration a number of key elements, together with entry to healthcare, open out of doors house, navigability, housing developments, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 20,000 or higher have been thought-about for our Arizona checklist. Extra details about our methodology will be discovered right here.

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