11 Most Affordable Places to Live in Arizona

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Updated on September 6th, 2023

Reading Time: 5 minutes

With awe-inspiring wonders like the Grand Canyon, warm climate, abundant sunshine, and stunning desert landscapes, Arizona is an amazing place to call home. If you’re currently living in Arizona or are considering moving to the state, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. As of July, Arizona’s median home sale price is $438,100. 

If that price is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 11 of the most affordable places to live in Arizona. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Yuma to Tucson, find out which cities made the list.

southwestern style home in tucson arizona

#1: Yuma

Median home price: $299,500
Average sale price per square foot: $193 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $995 
Median household income: $52,183 
Nearest major metro: San Diego, CA (175 miles)
Yuma, AZ homes for sale
Yuma, AZ apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $299,500, Yuma lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable place to live in Arizona. There are about 95,500 residents living in this mid-sized city.  If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to visit the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, explore the Colorado River State Historic Park, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Colorado River at Gateway Park.

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#2: Casa Grande

Median home price: $335,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $181 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,525 
Median household income: $55,236 
Nearest major metro: Phoenix (50 miles)
Casa Grande, AZ homes for sale
Casa Grande, AZ apartments for rent

Taking the second spot on our list of affordable cities to live in Arizona is Casa Grande, located south of Phoenix. When living in this city of 53,600 people, you can golf at one of the courses, spend the afternoon at David White Regional Park, and explore North Mountain Park.

#3: Tucson

Median home price: $335,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $210 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,039 
Median household income: $45,227 
Nearest major metro: Phoenix (115 miles)
Tucson, AZ homes for sale
Tucson, AZ apartments for rent

Third is Tucson where about 542,600 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $335,000 which is about $100K less than the median home sale price in Arizona. Make sure to visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and explore the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac. While living in Tucson, you can also take a hike in Saguaro National Park, and discover the vibrant downtown scene and enjoy the eclectic shops and restaurants on 4th Avenue.

#4: Maricopa

Median home price: $365,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $196 
Median household income: $55,236 
Nearest major metro: Tempe (30 miles)
Maricopa, AZ homes for sale
Maricopa, AZ apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Tucson is the city of Maricopa, with a median home sale price of $365,000. Maricopa is located about 50 miles south of Phoenix. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Maricopa, so make sure to check out one of the parks in town and visit the downtown area.

#5: Casas Adobes

Median home price: $375,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $234 
Median household income: $55,236 
Nearest major metro: Tucson (7 miles)
Casas Adobes, AZ homes for sale
Casas Adobes, AZ apartments for rent

Another great affordable city to consider moving to is Casas Adobes. With 70,900 people living in this affordable town, Casas Adobes is a great option to consider when looking to stay in Arizona without paying the premium for a home in a larger city. In Casas Adobes, you can hike Mount Kimball, visit the desert habitat at Tohono Chul Gardens, Galleries, and Bistro, and check out one of the parks in town.

#6: Buckeye

Median home price: $390,995 
Average sale price per square foot: $210 
Median household income: $79,156 
Nearest major metro: Phoenix (40 miles)
Buckeye, AZ homes for sale
Buckeye, AZ apartments for rent

Another well-known city is Buckeye, where the median home sale price is about $50K less than the state’s average. With just about 91,500 people living in Buckeye, it’s a great place to consider moving to in Arizona.

#7: Avondale

Median home price: $415,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $224 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,524 
Median household income: $67,886 
Nearest major metro: Phoenix (20 miles)
Avondale, AZ homes for sale
Avondale, AZ apartments for rent

Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable places to live in Arizona is Avondale. With a population of roughly 89,300, you’ll be living in a mid-sized city, but there is no shortage of things to do in Avondale. If you find yourself moving to this city make sure to hike through Estrella Mountain Regional Park, visit Festival Fields Park located along the Agua Fria River, and watch a race at the Phoenix Raceway.

#8: San Tan Valley

Median home price: $417,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $210 
Median household income: $74,455 
Nearest major metro: Gilbert (25 miles)
San Tan Valley, AZ homes for sale
San Tan Valley, AZ apartments for rent

If you’ve lived in Arizona for a while, you may know our eighth city, San Tan Valley. About 99,900 people live in San Tan Valley. Once moving to San Tan Valley, you’ll want to tour the nearby Queen Creek Olive Mill and hike through San Tan Mountain Regional Park. 

#9: Glendale

Median home price: $427,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $240 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,795 
Median household income: $56,991 
Nearest major metro: Phoenix (11 miles)
Glendale, AZ homes for sale
Glendale, AZ apartments for rent

Glendale is a great place to consider moving to in Arizona where the population is about 248,300. Fun activities to do in Glendale include watching a Cardinals game at State Farm Stadium, exploring the Thunderbird Conservation Park, and visiting one of the parks located throughout the city.

#10: Surprise

Median home price: $429,995 
Average sale price per square foot: $227 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,574 
Median household income: $71,192 
Nearest major metro: Phoenix (15 miles)
Surprise, AZ homes for sale
Surprise, AZ apartments for rent

Next up on our list of affordable places is Surprise. This city has a population of 143,100 and you can golf at one of the many courses, visit the downtown area, and check out one of the parks throughout the city. There’s always something to do while living in Surprise.

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#11: Marana

Median home price: $430,000
Average sale price per square foot: $210 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,721 
Median household income: $89,689 
Nearest major metro: Tucson (25 miles)
Marana, AZ homes for sale
Marana, AZ apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $430,000, Marana is another affordable spot to consider moving to in Arizona. There are about 51,900 people living in this city, giving Marana a city-like feel without the hustle and bustle. If Marana is the city for you, be sure to hike along the Tortolita Preserve Trailhead, visit one of the many parks in town, or check out downtown Marana.

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Arizona. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.
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Alison Bentley

Alison is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about housing affordability and home interior design ideas. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.

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