Find the Best Cities in Arizona to Live In

Situated in the sunny Southwest, Arizona features stunning natural vistas like the Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park. If you want to access these natural wonders and the many other perks of Arizona, it's important to find a good place to live. Which Arizona cities are the best places to settle down? Explore this guide to see which spots locals consistently rank as their favorite places to live.

Major cities in Arizona

Most people in Arizona live in urban hubs. If you like large cities with a lot of things to do and people to meet, check out one of these locations.

Phoenix

The capital of Arizona is one of the most popular places to live. People often choose it for its excellent nightlife, walkable downtown, and broad range of shops and restaurants. In addition to being a fun place to spend your weekend, Phoenix also has some unique perks that make it an ideal spot to live. This area is very diverse and has a lot of excellent job opportunities. The average Phoenix resident makes a salary of $64,000 yet only has to commute 26 minutes to get to work. Phoenix also includes many highly rated schools and is next to the renowned Arizona State University.

Tucson

Tucson provides big-city living for those without a big-city budget. Housing costs are 25% below national averages, and utility and food expenses are fairly low, too. There are plenty of excellent employers in the manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and tourism industries. With robust public transport and a revitalized downtown, Tucson is also fairly walkable and has plenty of fun things to do. Despite all its entertainment options, Tucson still remains a fairly calm and relaxed place to live.

Mid-sized Arizona cities

Arizona has a lot of great mid-sized cities that offer residents affordable costs of living while still including access to jobs, education and entertainment. Here are some great places to consider.

Mesa

If you dream of living in an area with rich history and incredible vistas, Mesa is the place for you. This city includes attractions like Mesa Grande Cultural Park, the Sonoran Desert, and the Superstition Mountains. Another great thing about Mesa is that it's situated just east of Phoenix. You can easily enjoy the attractions of the big city while living in a quieter and more affordable city. Mesa has a somewhat suburban feel, but the outskirts of the town can be fairly rural.

Flagstaff

Situated near the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff is a charming mountain town that's ideal for outdoorsy people. It has a lot of great opportunities for camping, hiking, biking and skiing. Since it's a popular tourist destination, this area is also filled with tasty restaurants, breweries, and bars. Flagstaff is in the north of Arizona and has a higher elevation, so it has a moderate climate without extreme heat or cold. In addition to being a fun place to visit, Flagstaff has a robust economy with lots of manufacturing and entrepreneurship opportunities for full-time residents.

Scottsdale

Scottsdale is often called "the most exciting city in Arizona" due to its broad range of attractions. Whether you like golfing, historic architecture, nightlife or luxury shopping, Scottsdale has something for you. Though this town can be a little pricey to live in, it makes up for it with excellent job options, schooling, and healthcare.

Small-town living in Arizona

If you prefer small, quiet regions with a lot of nature, Arizona has some great towns to try. These rural towns are some of people's favorite places to live in Arizona.

Lake Havasu

Arizona has a reputation for being one big dry desert, but this charming town offers beautiful waterways. It sits along the Colorado River and even has a beach where the town hosts cultural events and local festivals. Lake Havasu is a vacation resort, so the downtown area is highly walkable. However, once you get outside the central city, you'll find acres of untouched nature to explore.

Rio Rico

If your priority is affordability and convenience, check out this town. Rio Rico is the fourth-cheapest town in Arizona, yet it's just a short drive from Tucson. It's situated between multiple wildlife refuges and canyon-filled parks, so Rio Rico has plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy nature. In addition to having low rent and fun things to do, Rio Rico is also known for its suburban feel with friendly people and close-knit communities.

Sedona

Those looking for an artistic vibe in a beautiful desert should definitely check out Sedona. You'll find this small town, situated in the Coconino National Forest, full of arts and culture. The area constantly hosts film festivals, parades and cultural events, and it has beautiful architecture. Despite being fairly isolated, Sedona has an excellent healthcare system and multiple highly rated schools.

Reasons to choose a home security and automation system in Arizona

Regardless of where you live in Arizona, Vivint's security and automation systems can help you. We provide our customers with a wide range of helpful benefits:

• Prevent crime: A high-quality home security system lets you stay safe. Cameras help deter criminals from even trying to enter your home while sensors and alarms scare off burglars. We identify potential threats for you and let you know if there are any problems.
• Simplify your home systems: Our Smart Hub makes it easy to manage multiple products at once. With the Smart Hub and Vivint app, you can quickly get an overview of your home and access all your compatible cameras, thermostats and other devices.
• Stay safe from floods and fires: Vivint's safety alarms let you know when they detect carbon monoxide, smoke and high moisture levels. You find out about issues as soon as possible, so you can address them before they destroy your house or harm your family.
• Automate your home: Smart products handle little details for you, so you can use your valuable time for other things. Options like smart thermostats automatically adjust your HVAC to save you money while smart locks lock your door when you forget.

Vivint makes living in Arizona safer and easier

Whether you end up in a busy metropolis or a quiet, rural town, Vivint is here to help. Our home security experts are happy to assist you with creating a customized security and automation system for your home. We'll help you find the right products, install them for you and help you monitor your systems. To learn more about Vivint's services, contact our team at 855.822.1220 now.