Living in Phoenix, AZ
Major city in Arizona
Phoenix is a major city in Arizona, home to about 1.6 million people, with 4.1 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, much of daily life is walkable. Life moves at a fast pace, and homes are a mix of apartments and houses.
In short: Sun, space and newer houses at mid-range prices. Extreme summer heat, and you'll drive everywhere.
Is Phoenix a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Strong healthcare: 9 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Sunny: more sunshine and clearer skies than most places
- Low taxes: about $755 state income tax per resident, 0.48% property tax
- Easy flying: PHX is 11 mi away
👎 Cons
- Hot summers: highs around 103°F
- Few dog parks: 26 within 9 mi
- Fewer outdoor escapes: few parks and no water close by
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Phoenix ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Phoenix: common questions
What is the cost of living in Phoenix?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $405k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,450 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are above the US average (index 103, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Phoenix?
Arizona collects about $755 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.48% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Phoenix safe?
Violent crime is well above the national rate (1.8× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in Phoenix?
Phoenix is warm all year: winter days average around 66°F and summer days around 103°F.
Does Phoenix get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from heat waves and flooding: 3 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 1.65 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Phoenix?
The nearest major airport is PHX, about 11 mi away.
How Phoenix scores
Each bar compares Phoenix with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
Places like Phoenix
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Nearby
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Is Phoenix right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.