Living in Phoenix, AZ, known as 'The Valley of the Sun,' offers a vibrant desert lifestyle that is both unique and appealing. Located in central Arizona, Phoenix is a large city known for its stunning desert landscapes and vibrant communities. Major nearby cities like Scottsdale and Tempe enhance its status as a central hub in the region. Phoenix's mix of natural beauty and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Phoenix is home to several landmarks that highlight its unique character, including Camelback Mountain, which offers breathtaking hiking trails and scenic views, the Desert Botanical Garden, showcasing the diverse plant life of the desert, and the Heard Museum, dedicated to the art and culture of Native Americans in the Southwest. The city offers a variety of attractions, including the Phoenix Zoo and the Musical Instrument Museum, which are perfect for family outings. Phoenix's dining scene features Southwestern cuisine and a diverse array of culinary options that cater to all tastes.
Events such as the Arizona State Fair and the Phoenix Film Festival highlight the city's dynamic cultural calendar and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Phoenix's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Major institutions like Arizona State University enhance the city's educational and cultural landscape, contributing to a thriving intellectual community and offering a wide range of educational opportunities.
The arts and culture scene in Phoenix is diverse and dynamic, with numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues offering a variety of cultural experiences. The Phoenix Art Museum and the Orpheum Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Phoenix provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and outdoor activities, making it an exciting place to call home.
Phoenix’s community is known for its warm and friendly atmosphere, creating a welcoming environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Suns (NBA), Cardinals (NFL), and Diamondbacks (MLB), offering year-round excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Phoenix include technology, manufacturing, and tourism, with significant employers like Intel and Honeywell driving economic growth and innovation. Public transit options include Valley Metro buses and light rail. Phoenix experiences a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters, allowing for a comfortable year-round outdoor lifestyle.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
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.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Phoenix, Arizona is a large city with a population of 1,658,422 people. With a population density of 3,200 people per square mile, Phoenix is well above the nation's average density level. According to the most recent Census, 68% of Phoenix residents are White, 7% Black and 4% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Phoenix are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 30% of the population also speak Spanish. Phoenix is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 47% married, this city falls well below the national average. 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 Phoenix, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Phoenix could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Arizona if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Phoenix, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, health & safety, housing and more.
Using data and statistics Phoenix has received a livability score of 75/100. This score is ranked in the 88th percentile when compared to all other cities. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Phoenix could be a great choice! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Phoenix ranks well for cost of living (A-) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that did not score well in Phoenix. The following was graded with a concerning score: crime (F) and education (F).
Living in Phoenix offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Phoenix provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Phoenix are: Desert Botanical Garden, Old Town Scottsdale, and Musical Instrument Museum.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Phoenix apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Phoenix meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Phoenix. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Phoenix are simply unattainable. The median home price for Phoenix homes is $250,800, which is 41.8% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Phoenix, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 17.1% higher than the Arizona average.
| Statistic | Phoenix | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 72.9% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.2% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.7% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.6% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 8.3% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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