Peoria, AZ, known as "A Place of Potential," is a vibrant city with a strong sense of community and plenty of opportunities for growth. Located in Maricopa and Yavapai counties, Peoria is approximately 13 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its excellent quality of life, beautiful parks, and thriving economy.
Peoria's climate features hot summers and mild winters, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Lake Pleasant Regional Park and the expansive Rio Vista Community Park, which offer hiking, boating, and opportunities for family picnics. The city's commitment to maintaining green spaces ensures residents have plenty of places to relax and enjoy nature.
The cultural scene in Peoria is dynamic, with attractions like the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, the Challenger Space Center, and the Arizona Broadway Theatre. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Peoria Arts & Cultural Festival and the Old Town Holiday Festival, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements. Living in Peoria means being part of a community that values its cultural heritage and enjoys a vibrant arts scene.
Education is a priority in Peoria, with the Peoria Unified School District providing top-quality education to its students. The city is also close to higher education institutions such as Arizona State University and Glendale Community College. This focus on education makes Peoria an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Banner Peoria Medical Center, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Peoria combines the benefits of urban amenities with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its potential for growth, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Peoria offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Health & Safety
The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.
Peoria, Arizona is a mid-sized city with a population of 177,686 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (80% White). Given that fact, Peoria could be considered less diverse than other cities. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Peoria, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 29 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Peoria, Arizona. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Peoria and in the areas around Peoria is a much easier task.
The livability score in Peoria is 77/100 and the city is ranked in the 91st percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the US average, Peoria ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Peoria is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Peoria has higher than average scores for the following: crime (B+), cost of living (B-), education (B+), employment (A) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Peoria. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (D).
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Peoria market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Peoria is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Peoria come in at $514,337, which is 65.1% higher than the Arizona average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Peoria, the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 9.8% higher than the Arizona average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Peoria | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 29min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.1% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.8% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.8% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.4% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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