Arizona is the sixth-largest state in the United States. Home to expansive cities and wide-open spaces boasting spectacular scenery, this Southwestern state is a powerhouse of beauty, with a climate to suit sun-worshippers and a diverse mix of cultures and peoples. If you’re considering a move to Arizona, there are several things you should know before making the leap. From the climate to the cost of living, here are 20 things to consider when moving to Arizona:
1. Arizona is home to some of the most popular cities
No matter which lifestyle you’re looking for, you’ll find it in one of Arizona’s fabulous cities. The most densely populated area of Arizona is Phoenix, the state capital. With more than 1.6 million people, Phoenix is the fifth-most populous city in the U.S. The sprawling metropolis is growing faster than any other major U.S. city over the last decade. It’s home to the well-respected University of Phoenix, exciting bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and some superb neighborhoods to call home. Some other great places to live in Arizona include:
- Tucson: Ideal for young professionals and families, with a low cost of living and a rugged beauty
- Mesa: Affordable cost of living and excellent outdoor recreational options to attract young families and retirees
- Chandler: A good combination of nightlife and family-friendly activities
- Scottsdale: A little more expensive than other places in the state, with an exciting nightclub scene and excellent access to golf resorts
- Tempe: A college town with a creative, bohemian vibe
2. Cost of living is low
Arizona’s overall cost of living is slightly more than the national average. While transportation and utilities can be expensive, groceries and health care are cheaper.
Where you live dramatically affects your cost of living. Scottsdale has the most expensive rent in Arizona and the 14th most expensive rent in the country. Gilbert and Chandler are among the top 30 most expensive places to rent. You’ll pay much less to rent in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, and Tucson, which all sit outside the top 30. To put it in perspective, the median price for a one-bedroom apartment in Scottsdale is $1,900, while a two-bedroom apartment costs around $2,460. In contrast, the average one-bedroom apartment in Tucson costs $960, while a two-bedroom apartment sets you back around $1,300.
3. Arizona is great destination for outdoor recreation
Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon State for a reason. Beyond the gorgeous outdoor scenery, it’s a great place to live if you’re looking for outdoor adventure. It’s a popular place for those who love rock climbing and mountaineering, but locals also enjoy boating, fishing, horseback riding, off-roading, skiing, and snowboarding. Some of the best outdoor attractions in Arizona are:
- The Grand Canyon: Hike, ride a mule, camp out, go rafting down the Colorado River, or stand and admire the dazzling views.
- Beautiful national parks: Explore the Petrified Forest National Park, see the giant cacti in the Saguaro National Park, and discover Monument Valley Tribal Park, a vast valley that stretches for 92,000 acres along the state border of Arizona and Utah.
- Antelope Canyon: Take a tour around this canyon to get a sense of the unstoppable erosive power of streams and rivers.
- Almost 200 mountain ranges: From the San Francisco Peaks to the White Mountains, the ranges in this state contain some of the highest mountaintops in the country.
4. There’s plenty of entertainment for culture seekers
The state isn’t just about the outdoors. When you move to Arizona, you’ll discover cities’ strong arts and culture scenes. Most major areas have galleries and museums with extensive collections. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Phoenix Art Museum are some of the state’s best. The state also hosts several annual events, such as the Arizona Renaissance Festival and the Scottsdale Arts Festival. Communities also come together for local events, including Tucson’s La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros and Phoenix’s Festival of the Arts.
5. Baseball fans have a home in Arizona
All baseball fans know the Diamondbacks call Arizona home. However, you might not know that the Rockies and Rangers also play spring training games within the state. The Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies are part of the Cactus League, which trains in Arizona. No matter who you support, you might have a chance to see them around your new home state. If baseball is your sport, becoming a D-backs supporter has its advantages. It’s much more fun being one of the gang at Chase Field or your new local sports bar.
6. Arizona is a well-connected state
Arizona’s excellent transportation system makes getting around easy, whether it’s within different cities, the state, or to the rest of the country. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers hundreds of daily flights to American cities and destinations around the globe. In addition to this massive transportation hub, Arizona has Deer Valley Airport, Goodyear Airport, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
Most people traveling between Arizona’s cities take their vehicles on the major national and state highways running through the state. Greyhound buses make stops in most major Arizona cities, including Phoenix, Glendale, and Tucson. Amtrak’s Chicago to Los Angeles route runs through northern Arizona, while the New Orleans to Los Angeles route passes through the state’s southcentral region.
Large Arizona cities have robust and affordable bus networks, such as the Mountain Line in Flagstaff and Valley Metro in Phoenix. Buses are a convenient way to get around downtown areas, but most people have cars for traveling outside the city center.
7. Prepare for a warm desert climate
Excluding the high, mountainous areas in the north of Arizona, the climate in this state is typically warm and sunny. When you move here, you can expect at least 300 days of sunshine every year, and even during the winter months, temperatures rarely drop below 45 degrees at night. Much of the state is arid. Although the rainy season runs from June to September, you’ll still need an umbrella. Dust storms are frequent, and those who suffer from allergies will need their medication.
Before you move to Arizona, consider whether you can cope with the heat. In summer, temperatures easily soar to well over 100 degrees, and it’s relatively frequent for residents to suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Hydration is essential for your health, so keep a water bottle handy. Living in the state’s hottest areas will be challenging if you’re not used to high temperatures. Finding a home in the northern region of the state may be your best option.
8. There are plenty of job opportunities
Arizona has a strong economy with plenty of job opportunities in various industries. Its unemployment rate is currently around 3.3 percent, significantly lower than the neighboring states of Nevada (4.4 percent) and California (3.9 percent).
Phoenix is well suited to people who want to work in real estate or financial services, while Scottsdale is better for jobs in tourism. Head to Tucson if you’re going to work in the aerospace and defense sector. It’s one of the country’s top five best areas for this industry.
In addition to real estate, tourism, and aerospace, Arizona’s booming copper industry produces as much as 65 percent of America’s total copper. More opportunities are likely to arrive soon, with tech giants like Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the maker of Apple’s A-series processors, building new factories in Arizona that should be fully operational by 2024.
9. The population is diverse
Thanks to its shared border with Mexico, Arizona has a large population of Hispanic people. More than 20 percent of Arizona residents speak Spanish at home. The state houses a notable settlement of Puerto Rican residents.
Arizona’s multicultural population has led to a distinctive mix of Mexican, American, and Native American cultures. You can easily find delicious Mexican food at eateries around the state. The many Native American sites offer a simple way to learn more about the state’s cultural history. For a rich experience, you can’t beat moving to Arizona.
If you’re planning to relocate, there are a few things to consider before moving to Arizona. You’ll need to find a place to live, a place to work, and activities to keep you busy in your spare time. Luckily, Arizona has plenty of appealing opportunities for all the residents that call this state home.
10. There are many educational opportunities
Arizona’s education system has faced criticism for its funding and teacher shortages. However, the state has several notable universities, including Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. Additionally, Arizona offers a range of vocational and trade schools for those interested in alternative education paths.
Arizona also has numerous private colleges and universities, including Grand Canyon University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the Thunderbird School of Global Management, among others. Additionally, there are several community colleges throughout the state that provide two-year degree programs and workforce training.
For students interested in online education, many of Arizona’s universities and colleges offer online courses and degree programs. Arizona State University, for example, has been recognized as a leader in online education by U.S. News & World Report.
11. Transportation in Arizona can vary by city
Arizona has several major airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Tucson International Airport. The state also has several major highways, including Interstate 10 and Interstate 17, which connect many of the state’s major cities.
Public transportation in Arizona varies by city and region, with some areas having more extensive systems than others. The largest cities, Phoenix and Tucson, both have bus systems operated by Valley Metro and Sun Tran, respectively. Additionally, Phoenix has a light rail system that serves the central city area and some surrounding suburbs.
In northern Arizona, the city of Flagstaff has a local bus system called Mountain Line, which also provides service to nearby communities. Some of the state’s Native American reservations also operate their own transit systems.
Outside of these major cities, public transportation options can be more limited. Some rural areas may have no public transportation at all, making it necessary to have access to a personal vehicle. However, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available throughout the state and can provide transportation in areas without public transit.
Overall, while public transportation in Arizona may not be as extensive as in some other states, it can still be a viable option for getting around in larger cities and certain regions.
12. Wildlife is abundant
Arizona is home to a diverse range of wildlife, with a variety of species inhabiting the state’s deserts, mountains, forests, and waterways. One of the most iconic animals in Arizona is the saguaro cactus, which provides habitat for a variety of desert animals, including the Gila monster, desert tortoise, and several species of rattlesnakes.
Other desert animals that can be found in Arizona include coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, and several species of owls and hawks. In the higher elevations, the state is home to elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions, among others. Additionally, Arizona has a variety of bird species, including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and several species of hummingbirds.
Arizona’s waterways are also home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and native species like the Apache trout and Gila trout. The state’s rivers and lakes also provide habitat for beavers, otters, and several species of waterfowl.
13. Taxes are moderate
Arizona has a state income tax that ranges from 2.59% to 4.5%, depending on income level. The state also has a sales tax, with a rate of 5.6%, which is lower than the national average. However, some cities and counties in Arizona have additional sales taxes, so the total sales tax rate can vary.
In addition to the state income and sales taxes, Arizona also has property taxes. The rate varies depending on the county and the assessed value of the property. However, Arizona does offer some property tax relief programs for seniors, disabled individuals, and active-duty military members.
For businesses operating in Arizona, the state has a corporate income tax that ranges from 4.9% to 15%, depending on the company’s taxable income. Arizona also offers a variety of tax credits and incentives to businesses, including tax credits for job creation, research and development, and renewable energy investments.
Overall, Arizona’s tax system is generally considered to be moderate, with lower than average sales taxes and moderate income tax rates.
14. Housing options are diverse
Arizona offers a variety of housing options for residents, ranging from urban apartments to suburban single-family homes and rural properties. The state’s major cities, such as Phoenix and Tucson, have a mix of high-rise apartments and condominiums as well as single-family homes in various styles and price ranges.
In addition to traditional housing options, Arizona has a thriving vacation rental market, with numerous homes and condos available for short-term rentals. This can be a good option for visitors or for residents who want to supplement their income by renting out a spare room or property.
The cost of housing in Arizona varies depending on location, with the Phoenix metropolitan area generally having higher housing costs than other parts of the state. However, Arizona overall tends to have lower housing costs than other Western states such as California and Colorado.
Arizona’s climate and geography also play a role in housing options, with many homes and apartments designed to withstand the state’s hot summers and occasional monsoon storms. Some properties also offer amenities such as swimming pools and outdoor living spaces to take advantage of the state’s sunny weather.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of living in Arizona varies depending on location and lifestyle, but overall it is relatively affordable compared to other Western states. Housing, transportation, and healthcare costs are generally lower than in states such as California and Colorado.
Arizona has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Some areas of the state, particularly at higher elevations, experience cooler temperatures and even snow in the winter. The state also experiences occasional monsoon storms during the summer months.
Yes, public transportation options are available in Arizona, including buses, light rail, and commuter trains. However, the availability and convenience of public transportation varies depending on location, with urban areas generally having more robust options than rural areas.
The job market in Arizona varies depending on location and industry, but overall it is relatively strong. The state has a diverse economy with major industries including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and technology. The Phoenix metropolitan area in particular has a growing tech industry and a thriving startup scene.
Final thoughts
Moving to Arizona can be a great decision for those seeking a warm climate, affordable cost of living, and diverse lifestyle. With this guide, we hope we’ve provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your move. Remember, Arizona has something for everyone, so take the time to explore and find the perfect place for you.
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