Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Phoenix, AZ

    Is Phoenix a good place to live?

    Watch Phoenix

    Phoenix ranks #29 of 38 Arizona cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (39/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 1.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $381,900
    +12.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,458
    per month
    Household income
    $77,041
    median
    Unemployment
    5.1%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Phoenix

    The median home value in Phoenix is $381,900 and median rent is $1,458 a month, against a median household income of $77,041. Homes cost about 5.0× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Phoenix crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Arizona the 2025 rate was 383 violent and 1,541 property crimes per 100,000 people — #20 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Phoenix, AZ

    Phoenix has about 1,624,832 residents, 5.1% unemployment and 20% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Phoenix with

    Phoenix vs TucsonPhoenix vs MesaPhoenix vs ChandlerPhoenix vs GilbertPhoenix vs GlendalePhoenix vs ScottsdalePhoenix vs PeoriaPhoenix vs Tempe

    More: Where to move in Arizona · Best counties in Arizona

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report