Top suburbs to reside in Arizona
Urban centers may offer vibrant nightlife, yet the practicality and cost-effectiveness of the suburbs are becoming increasingly attractive as the millennial cohort transitions into its home purchasing stage. Prior to the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered work patterns and amplified the housing market, individuals had already begun departing from large metropolitan areas.
For example, in Colorado, lesser-known suburbs near Denver, like Boulder, have turned into havens for young families, ranking among the most sought-after locations for out-of-state millennials relocating in 2023. Corporations are also recognizing this shift: Numerous businesses are opening satellite offices and new headquarters in less populated regions.
Stacker has put together a compilation of the premier suburbs to live in Arizona, utilizing data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche evaluates living locations based on a variety of criteria, such as living expenses, educational attainment of inhabitants, housing prices, and the caliber of educational institutions.
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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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Mesa (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+), Great Hearts Academies – Archway Lincoln (grade A+)
– Prominent 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+), Khalsa Montessori Elementary School at Virginia (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley Primary School (grade A+), BASIS Tucson Primary School (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley Primary School (grade A+)
– Noteworthy 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), University High School (grade A+), Hermosa Montessori School (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley Primary School (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: Great Hearts Academies – Archway Trivium (grade A+), BASIS Goodyear (grade A+), Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center – Estrella (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: Empire High School (grade A), Vail Academy and High School (grade A), Civano Community School (grade A)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Empire High School (grade A), Vail Academy and High School (grade A)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Mesa (grade A+), BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Phoenix (grade A+), BASIS Scottsdale (grade A+), BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Phoenix (grade A+), BASIS Scottsdale (grade A+), Khalsa Montessori Elementary School at Virginia (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Mesa (grade A+), BASIS Ahwatukee (grade A+), BASIS Chandler (grade A+)
– Notable 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)
– Leading public schools: BASIS Tucson North (grade A+), University High School (grade A+), BASIS Oro Valley (grade A+)
– Notable private schools: The Gregory School (grade A+), Salpointe Catholic High School (grade A), Desert Christian Schools (grade A)
This narrative includes data analysis and writing contributions by Elena Cox and is part of a series leveraging data automation across 40 states.
By Stacker
