Best suburbs to live in Arizona
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Arizona using data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#14. Queen Creek, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 2,311
– Population: 61,788
– Median household income: $127,182
– Median home value: $493,700 (89% own)
– Median rent: $2,030 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Mesa (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+), Great Hearts Academies – Archway Lincoln (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Tri-City Christian Academy (grade A minus), Gilbert Christian Schools (grade B+), Mesa Christian Academy (grade B+)
#13. Tempe, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 2,208
– Population: 181,005
– Median household income: $72,022
– Median home value: $382,100 (41% own)
– Median rent: $1,472 (59% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+), Khalsa Montessori Elementary School at Virginia (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Phoenix Country Day School (grade A+), Rancho Solano Preparatory School (grade A+), Brophy College Preparatory (grade A+)
#12. Marana, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 2,173
– Population: 52,542
– Median household income: $105,624
– Median home value: $347,700 (83% own)
– Median rent: $1,579 (17% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley Primary School (grade A+), BASIS Tucson Primary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Salpointe Catholic High School (grade A), Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (grade A minus), San Miguel High School (grade B+)
#11. Casas Adobes, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 2,172
– Population: 69,917
– Median household income: $75,997
– Median home value: $281,000 (66% own)
– Median rent: $1,383 (34% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley Primary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Gregory School (grade A+), Salpointe Catholic High School (grade A), Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (grade A minus)
#10. Tanque Verde, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 2,101
– Population: 14,815
– Median household income: $120,887
– Median home value: $526,100 (96% own)
– Median rent: $2,122 (4% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), University High School (grade A+), Hermosa Montessori School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Gregory School (grade A+), Salpointe Catholic High School (grade A), Desert Christian Schools (grade A)
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#9. Oro Valley, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,714
– Population: 47,053
– Median household income: $101,394
– Median home value: $404,500 (77% own)
– Median rent: $1,555 (23% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley Primary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Gregory School (grade A+), Salpointe Catholic High School (grade A), Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (grade A minus)
#8. Litchfield Park, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,632
– Population: 6,794
– Median household income: $117,601
– Median home value: $470,600 (84% own)
– Median rent: $1,900 (16% rent)
– Top public schools: Great Hearts Academies – Archway Trivium (grade A+), BASIS Goodyear (grade A+), Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center – Estrella (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Dream City Christian School (grade A minus), Trinity Lutheran School (grade unavailable), St. John Vianney Catholic School (grade unavailable)
#7. Corona de Tucson, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,617
– Population: 8,742
– Median household income: $106,049
– Median home value: $305,400 (97% own)
– Median rent: $1,451 (3% rent)
– Top public schools: Empire High School (grade A), Vail Academy and High School (grade A), Civano Community School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Creation School (grade unavailable)
#6. Vail, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,513
– Population: 15,248
– Median household income: $120,179
– Median home value: $339,700 (91% own)
– Median rent: $1,847 (9% rent)
– Top public schools: Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Empire High School (grade A), Vail Academy and High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Our Mother of Sorrows School (grade unavailable), River of Life Christian School (grade unavailable), Creation School (grade unavailable)
#5. Chandler, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,235
– Population: 275,618
– Median household income: $99,374
– Median home value: $423,900 (65% own)
– Median rent: $1,675 (35% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Mesa (grade A+), BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Rancho Solano Preparatory School (grade A+), Arizona Cultural Academy & College Prep (grade A+), Seton Catholic Preparatory (grade A+)
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#4. Scottsdale, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,198
– Population: 240,537
– Median household income: $104,197
– Median home value: $651,800 (67% own)
– Median rent: $1,768 (33% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Phoenix (grade A+), BASIS Scottsdale (grade A+), BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Phoenix Country Day School (grade A+), Rancho Solano Preparatory School (grade A+), Brophy College Preparatory (grade A+)
#3. Paradise Valley, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,174
– Population: 12,672
– Median household income: $221,333
– Median home value: $2,000,001 (95% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (5% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Phoenix (grade A+), BASIS Scottsdale (grade A+), Khalsa Montessori Elementary School at Virginia (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Phoenix Country Day School (grade A+), Rancho Solano Preparatory School (grade A+), Brophy College Preparatory (grade A+)
#2. Gilbert, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 1,047
– Population: 267,267
– Median household income: $115,179
– Median home value: $454,300 (75% own)
– Median rent: $1,839 (25% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Mesa (grade A+), BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Arizona Cultural Academy & College Prep (grade A+), Seton Catholic Preparatory (grade A+), Redeemer Christian School (grade A)
#1. Catalina Foothills, Arizona
– Overall Rank: 362
– Population: 50,573
– Median household income: $110,660
– Median home value: $560,400 (74% own)
– Median rent: $1,198 (26% rent)
– Top public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), University High School (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Gregory School (grade A+), Salpointe Catholic High School (grade A), Desert Christian Schools (grade A)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
By Stacker
