Arizona: What you need to know
The beautiful scenery of Arizona has provided settings for several Hollywood movies, while the economy is led by health care, transportation, technology and government service. Among the best places to live in Arizona are Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Flagstaff. The Grand Canyon State features higher education institutions like the University of Arizona and Arizona State, and 15 Major League Baseball teams are based in the state during Cactus League spring training.
Courtesy of Jason Corneveaux under a CC 4.0 license.
The 8 Best Things to Do in Arizona
From the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Scenic Byway to college football and a musical museum - here are 8 can't-miss things to do in Arizona
Health systems, retailers dominate an impressive list.
In a state known for a low cost of living, there are many cities that deliver on affordable living
Read More About Arizona
- These 10 state fairs take the (funnel) cake for most fun.
- What happens when you take a small city and fill it with over 1,000 pieces of art? Magic.
- College towns aren't just for students — they're perfect places for retirees. Here's why.
- Faced with a closed mine, collapsed economy and shrinking population, Ajo, Arizona, embraced creativity — and saved itself.
- Tempe has everything a college student--and post-grad--could want
- Scottsdale offers so much more than just a great reputation for golf
- Veteran riders talk bikes, prepping and six extraordinary trips to take
- A list of the major employers in Scottsdale, AZ.
- Manufacturing and industry lead the list.
Featured Cities in Arizona
Find a City in Arizona
Search for any city in Arizona to find your best place to live..Arizona Profile
Quick Facts about AZ
| Population | 6,641,928 |
| Latest Population Increase | 0.00% |
| Median Household Income | $50,255 |
| Median Home Price | $167,500 |
| Median Property Tax | $1,343 |
| Median Rent | $63 |
Employment Rate in AZ
| Employed | 95% | |
| Unemployed | 5% |
Featured Cities/Population in AZ
| Glendale, AZ | 234,844 |
| Prescott, AZ | 40,700 |
| Surprise, AZ | 123,813 |
| Yuma, AZ | 93,812 |
| Gilbert, AZ | 230,781 |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 53,010 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 227,471 |
| Tempe, AZ | 169,816 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 68,375 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 68,375 |
Race in AZ
| Ethnicity White | 78.4% | |
| Ethnicity Black | 4.2% | |
| Ethnicity Asian | 3% | |
| Ethnicity Hawaiian | 0.2% | |
| Ethnicity Hispanic | 30.3% | |
| Ethnicity Indian | 4.4% | |
| Ethnicity Other | 6.5% |
Employment Rate in AZ
| Employed | 95% | |
| Unemployed | 5% |
Educational Levels in AZ
| Bachelor's Degree | 17.3% | |
| Associate's Degree | 23% | |
| Graduate or Professional Degree | 10.2% | |
| High School Graduate | 24.4% | |
| Some College, No Degree | 25.7% | |
| Percent Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31% | |
| Percent High School Graduate or Higher | 86% |
Industry in AZ
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting and Mining | 1.6% |
| Construction | 6.6% |
| Manufacturing | 7.3% |
| Wholesale Trade | 2.4% |
| Retail Trade | 12.2% |
| Transportation and Warehousing, and Utilities | 4.9% |
| Information | 1.8% |
| Finance and Insurance, and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 8.1% |
| Professional, Scientific and Management and Administrative and Waste | 11.9% |
| Educational Services and Health Care and Social Assistance | 22.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment and recreation and Accommodation and food Services | 10.8% |
| Other Services, Except Public Administration | 4.8% |
| Public Administration | 5.5% |
Housing in AZ
| Homes Rent | 62.8% | |
| Homes Owned | 37.2% |
Data Sources : U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census, 2011-2015 American Community Survey, 2010 Census Gazetteer, GreatSchools, WalkScore, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, Veterans Administration (VA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Arizona Rankings
Best places to Live in Arizona
| Title | Population | Median Home Price | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 1,514,208 | $163,400 | $47,326 |
| Tucson | 528,374 | $131,300 | $37,149 |
| Mesa | 458,860 | $156,600 | $48,809 |
| Chandler | 250,202 | $232,100 | $72,695 |
| Glendale | 234,844 | $148,200 | $46,776 |
| Gilbert | 230,781 | $243,500 | $82,424 |
| Scottsdale | 227,471 | $388,300 | $73,288 |
| Tempe | 169,816 | $203,000 | $49,012 |
| Peoria | 163,664 | $189,700 | $65,314 |
| Surprise | 123,813 | $182,800 | $59,916 |
| Yuma | 93,812 | $119,100 | $43,754 |
| San Tan Valley | 87,923 | $146,100 | $59,769 |
| Avondale | 78,872 | $142,100 | $55,100 |
| Goodyear | 72,880 | $215,500 | $70,323 |
| Casas Adobes | 68,862 | $174,400 | $56,265 |
| Flagstaff | 68,375 | $267,400 | $48,680 |
| Buckeye | 57,165 | $152,800 | $58,939 |
| Lake Havasu City | 53,010 | $195,300 | $42,847 |
| Catalina Foothills | 50,940 | $397,000 | $78,586 |
| Casa Grande | 49,796 | $112,500 | $44,348 |