Jodi O'Connell|
What’s it like to live in Phoenix, AZ?
Nicknamed the "Valley of the Sun," the Greater Phoenix area sees more sunshine than nearly any other metro area in the country. That in and of itself can be enough to entice people to lay down roots here, but Arizona's capital also features a desirable combination of a thriving job market, a relatively low cost of living and plenty of ways to enjoy the nice weather.
Phoenix is the best place to get a sampling of all the state has to offer. Its downtown area may be characterized by sleek, ultramodern office buildings, but the city center is not all about work. Phoenix also contains ample opportunities to play. Sports stadiums, arts and shopping districts fringe downtown, as do some of the area's finest eateries.
Within the Valley of the Sun, you can trace Arizona's history from its earliest Hohokam residents at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park to the latest technological developments showcased at the Arizona Science Center. Plus, Greater Phoenix's 2,000-plus square miles sprawl to the bottom of striking desert mountains crisscrossed by hiking and biking trails.
What is there to do in Phoenix, AZ?
Residents find plenty to do in the Phoenix area. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike trails in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, kayak or paddleboard on Tempe Town Lake or enjoy desert wildlife at the Desert Botanical Garden. Museums with themes ranging from Native American history to musical instruments to art to firefighting provide respite from the sun.
Cheering on Phoenix's professional sports teams, including the MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, the NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and the NHL's Arizona Coyotes, is another favorite pastime. And each winter, golf enthusiasts descend on the area to watch the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
What’s the cost of living in Phoenix, AZ?
The average annual salary in Phoenix falls slightly below the national average. But luckily for residents, living in Phoenix is more affordable than living in coastal metro areas like San Francisco or New York City.
Best Local Services in Phoenix:
Phoenix offers a better value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income.
Housing Costs 2022
- National Average
- $383,883
- Phoenix, AZ
- $498,225
Housing Costs Over Time
Data sourced from Zillow median home sale price data series. Additional data provided by the Austin Board of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, Intermountain MLS, Omaha Area Board of Realtors, San Antonio Board of Realtors, and the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. Due to differences within the data source, home prices are not comparable across metro areas.
Buying or selling a home?
Find top real estate agents in Phoenix, AZ
What’s the weather like in Phoenix, AZ?
Residents enjoy living in Phoenix for the same reason 20 million visitors flock to the metro area yearly: the weather. In the winter, daytime highs are mild, and springtime hits as early as late January, with cactus blossoms and wildflowers blooming. Summertime can be tough for newcomers, however. Temperatures routinely reach triple digits, and monsoon rains can strike at any time.
Average Seasonal Temperature (°F)
- WINTER
- 57.2°
- FALL
- 76.4°
- SPRING
- 73.3°
- SUMMER
- 93.1°
Average Seasonal Rainfall (in)
- WINTER
- 0.9"
- FALL
- 0.7"
- SPRING
- 1"
- SUMMER
- 1.1"
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
Monthly High and Low Temperature (°F)
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
What's the best way to get around Phoenix, AZ?
Depending on where you choose to live, you will most likely need a car to get around Phoenix. A network of highways that circumnavigate and traverse the metro area keeps traffic moving quickly, and HOV lanes help alleviate congestion on the freeways during rush hours.
In addition, Valley Metro provides bus service throughout the entire metro area, even serving a few satellite communities such as Buckeye and Anthem. The light rail system connects downtown areas with the eastern suburbs of Tempe and Mesa.
Two commercial airports serve the Phoenix area. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers a high volume of daily domestic and international flights. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is much smaller, offering flights via Allegiant Air, Flair Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Swoop and West Jet. Greyhound provides intercity ground transit into and out of the Valley.
Depending on where you choose to live, you will most likely need a car to get around Phoenix. A network of highways that circumnavigate and traverse the metro area keeps traffic moving quickly, and HOV lanes help alleviate congestion on the freeways during rush hours.
In addition, Valley Metro provides bus service throughout the entire metro area, even serving a few satellite communities such as Buckeye and Anthem. The light rail system connects downtown areas with the eastern suburbs of Tempe and Mesa.
Two commercial airports serve the Phoenix area. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers a high volume of daily domestic and international flights. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is much smaller, offering flights via Allegiant Air, Flair Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Swoop and West Jet. Greyhound provides intercity ground transit into and out of the Valley.
Commuting in Phoenix, AZ
- Average Commute Time
- 26.8 minutes
0 minutes equal to national average.
81.8%
4.2%
2.5%
0.5%
Driving
Public Transit
Walking
Bicycling
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Who lives in Phoenix, AZ?
Until the mid-1800s, Arizona was part of Mexico, and modern-day Phoenix's population reflects its Mexican heritage. Hispanic culture remains a strong influence in the area, evidenced in architecture, festivals and cuisine.
While Arizona is one of the go-to spots for retirees, more than a quarter of the population is under 18 years old. Greater Phoenix is also home to Arizona State University, which draws a lot of younger people to the area.
Age Distribution
Marital Status Breakdown
About the same number of single people in Phoenix as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Marital Status Breakdown
About the same number of single people in Phoenix as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.