What makes Phoenix a good place to live?
- Phoenix has a strong economy with plenty of great job opportunities and a relatively low cost of living.
- The city has enviable weather and great recreation options for enjoying it.
- When night falls, the local scene offers plenty of dynamic entertainment venues.
They call Phoenix “The Valley of the Sun” for a reason. More than 19 million people visit the metropolitan area each year to enjoy the weather, shop ’til they drop, and savor the food at fabulous restaurants. But why visit when you could enjoy all these benefits all year round? You may ask, “Is Phoenix a good place to live?” Discover 10 reasons to pack your things and start living in Phoenix.
1. Great job opportunities
Phoenix is an ideal launching point for startups, entrepreneurs, and local companies with its small business job creation incubator (Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation) and many co-working spaces. Would you prefer to work for a renowned company? Four Fortune 500 companies have headquarters in Phoenix: Freeport McMoRan, Avnet, Republic Services, and ON Semiconductor. The current unemployment rate in Phoenix is 2.9%, which is lower than the national average of 3.6%. Professionals in the following industries are in demand in Phoenix:
- Construction
- Health care and social assistance
- Professional and technical services
- Information technology
- Finance and insurance
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
2. Relatively low cost of living
Living in Phoenix is also slightly more affordable than the average location in Arizona or the United States. That makes Phoenix a much more affordable choice than many other large cities. Compare the average prices for some general expenses in Phoenix:
- Rent: The average cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment is $1,350, and the average two-bedroom apartment costs $1,670. That puts it outside the country’s top 50 cities for expensive housing.
- Transportation: Monthly local transit service passes cost approximately $64.
- Food: Groceries are 1% lower than the national average.
- Eating out: A beer costs approximately $6, and a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs approximately $62.50.
- Gas: Gas costs an average of $5.07 a gallon.
- Utilities: The average cost of utilities for a 915-square-foot apartment is $212.12.
- Internet: An unlimited data plan with a speed of 60 Mbps or more costs approximately $78.05.
3. Warm weather all year round
For many, one of the top reasons to move to Phoenix is to escape the snow and cold temperatures. With around 300 sunny days a year, it’s easy to see the bright side of things when living in Phoenix. Sure, temps are at least 100 degrees for a third of the year, but it’s a dry heat. Donate your coats, stock up on sunblock, and ensure you don’t have leather seats in your car. To give you a better idea of the weather you can expect living in Phoenix, take a look at the average temperatures for each season:
- Winter: High 68 degrees/Low 47 degrees
- Spring: High 68 degrees/Low 61 degrees
- Summer: High 105 degrees/Low 82 degrees
- Fall: High 88 degrees/Low 65 degrees
4. Full flavor cuisine
Moving to Phoenix means having access to some of the best local eats which never skimp on flavor. Phoenix is well known for having some of the most authentic Mexican food north of Tijuana. You’ll find a taco truck or taqueria on almost every corner. You’ll also discover a surprisingly large assortment of drive-thrus since people don’t want to leave the comfort of their car’s air conditioning but want to eat. Bonus: Phoenix and Scottsdale have an underrated food scene that includes maybe the best pizzeria in America: Pizzeria Bianco. The list of places to try is endless, but a few resident favorites include the following:
Top restaurants in Phoenix
- Rito’s Mexican Food
- Los Sombreros
- Los Dos Molinos
- Gallo Blanco
- Chino Bandido
- Barrio Cafe
- La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop
- Rokerij
- Los Reyes De La Torta
5. Great fun awaits outdoors
Phoenix’s sunny weather and mountainous desert terrain are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, cycling, fishing, rock climbing, tubing, and horseback riding. Living in Phoenix means enjoying more than 180 parks, 41,000 acres of desert and mountain preserves, and more than 200 miles of trails.
In your downtime, you can play Frisbee and have a picnic in one of the largest municipal parks in the nation, South Mountain Park and Preserve. Drive through Phoenix Mountains Preserve on State Route 51 or climb Camelback Mountain. Watch the sunrise at Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park.
Is it too dang hot? Try cooling off at one of the many local water parks or floating down the Salt River.
6. A vibrant sports scene, whether you want to watch or play
Phoenix has nearly 200 golf courses and the largest professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour: the Phoenix Open. Is golf not your game? All four major professional sports leagues have representation: NBA (Suns), NFL (Cardinals), NHL (Coyotes), and MLB (Diamondbacks). The D’Backs’ stadium, Chase Field, is set up for the sweltering heat with a retractable roof to cool it down before fans arrive. Major League Baseball fans will love spring training in Phoenix. The city also has a big NASCAR scene. With so many sporting options, you may find several home teams to cheer on.
7. Getting around is simple
Few other big cities have such light traffic thanks to an easy-to-navigate grid road system, 26 miles of super clean, safe, and affordable light rail transportation, and bike-friendly commutes. The Valley Metro Transit System provides transportation services through downtown Phoenix and surrounding metro areas. If you plan to live in Phoenix without a car, you can catch the bus, light rail, or streetcar. If you have a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the major highways and interstates, including Interstate 10, Interstate 17, and U.S. Route 60.
8. Arts and culture galore abound
Living in Phoenix means you get everything—from ballet and the symphony to plays and musical theater. Phoenix is rich in culture. Get your taste of Phoenix culture at the Arizona Opera Company, Ballet Arizona, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gammage Auditorium, and Ak-Chin Pavilion (the best outdoor performance center). Scottsdale, a part of Phoenix, has an “Old Town” area filled with art galleries and design boutiques. Discover several cultural places and activities to experience when living in Phoenix:
9. The nightlife is jumping
Phoenix has you covered when you want to blow off some steam after a long week at work. The city boasts a variety of nightclubs, comedy clubs, cocktail bars, lounges, and dive bars. Whatever your ideal nightlife scene looks like, you’ll find it when living in Phoenix. Are you unsure where to start? Experience some of the must-visit destinations for bars and nightlife in the area:
10. You’re close to other superb cities
One of the best parts of living in Phoenix is having access to easy day trips to surrounding cities. You can get in the car and be in Northern Arizona, California, Mexico, Lake Mead, or Las Vegas within hours, not to mention the surrounding cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, and Glendale. Your weekends just got way more spectacular. Consider these day trips and the estimated driving time from Phoenix:
- Grand Canyon: Four hours
- Page: Four hours
- Sedona: Two hours
- Saguaro National Park, Tucson: One hour and 45 minutes
- Flagstaff: Two hours and 20 minutes
- Lake Havasu: Three hours and 20 minutes
FAQ: Moving to Phoenix
When Phoenix has some of its most pleasant weather, December to May is the best time for your Phoenix move. While relocation costs can be cheaper, most people agree you’re best avoiding a summer move. No one wants to haul boxes and heavy furniture when temperatures exceed 100 degrees. Check the weather forecast ahead of time and avoid moving during a monsoon or dust storm, as the wild weather can make travel treacherous.
Estrella Village is the cheapest neighborhood in Phoenix, with the average monthly rent costing $1,183, according to rental estimates for the area. It’s approximately 15 to 20 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic, but the nearby Estrella and White Tank Mountains can make it feel even farther from the heart of the city. There are properties to suit all tastes, from classic homes in the old northwestern neighborhoods to new subdivisions in the southwest. Industrial businesses in the center of Estrella Village provide job opportunities.
Living close to Phoenix’s hottest restaurants, bars, and businesses will cost you, with downtown Phoenix ranked the city’s most expensive neighborhood. Average monthly rents in the heart of the city are nearly twice the price of Phoenix’s cheapest neighborhood, per rental estimates for the area. While the rents are steep, residents who love living downtown insist you can’t put a price on their lifestyle.
The average yearly salary in Phoenix is $71,000. Wages increased slightly by 0.9% in the first quarter of 2022.
What did you think about our top 10 reasons you should move to Phoenix, Arizona? With plenty of sunshine, unique entertainment and outdoor activities options, the best cuisine, and the top destinations for nightlife, you can’t go wrong when choosing to live in Phoenix. As they say, the West is the best.
Ready to move to Phoenix? Check out thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper and find your next place.
Read next: What to do in Phoenix: Your Moving Guide
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