Arizona
Arizona ranks #38 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 45.2/100 and a C grade. Its strongest category is Growth (65/100) and its weakest is Education (10/100).
How Does Arizona Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Arizona
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Queen Creek | A+ | 67.6 | 76,046 | $135,444 | 133.8 | 105.5 |
| 117 | Goodyear | A | 63.0 | 111,807 | $105,160 | 158.3 | 105.5 |
| 121 | Gilbert | A | 62.8 | 275,408 | $122,445 | 122.8 | 105.5 |
| 153 | Surprise | A | 61.6 | 158,282 | $89,560 | 100.4 | 105.5 |
| 181 | Buckeye | A | 60.8 | 108,900 | $99,178 | 184.7 | 105.5 |
| 191 | Scottsdale | A | 60.4 | 244,421 | $106,058 | 176.5 | 105.5 |
| 338 | Peoria | B+ | 56.8 | 198,753 | $97,296 | 217 | 105.5 |
| 387 | Chandler | B | 55.7 | 280,171 | $105,393 | 178.1 | 105.5 |
| 435 | Maricopa | B | 54.5 | 71,021 | $83,604 | 260.1 | 105.5 |
| 483 | Avondale | B | 53.3 | 93,555 | $86,428 | 464.1 | 105.5 |
| 498 | Flagstaff | B | 53.0 | 76,595 | $71,402 | 400.8 | 91.3 |
| 510 | Mesa | C+ | 52.7 | 511,624 | $79,145 | 443.6 | 105.5 |
| 515 | Tempe | C+ | 52.6 | 189,839 | $91,079 | 507.1 | 105.5 |
| 552 | Lake Havasu City | C+ | 52.0 | 58,037 | $66,264 | 286.3 | 89.9 |
| 658 | Phoenix | C | 49.3 | 1,650,051 | $79,664 | 784.8 | 105.5 |
| 662 | San Tan Valley | C | 49.2 | 119,497 | $92,963 | — | 105.5 |
| 672 | Glendale | C | 48.8 | 253,868 | $70,600 | 580.9 | 105.5 |
| 722 | Tucson | C | 47.8 | 547,232 | $55,708 | 473.4 | 94.3 |
| 758 | Casas Adobes | C | 46.7 | 70,641 | $79,754 | — | 105.5 |
| 828 | Yuma | D | 44.3 | 100,861 | $61,977 | 469.8 | 87.5 |
Best Cities in Arizona for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Creek | 61.9 | 35.3 | 91.9 | 54.0 |
| 2 | Gilbert | 60.8 | 40.8 | 92.2 | 57.0 |
| 3 | Surprise | 60.7 | 37.5 | 91.3 | 61.6 |
| 4 | Goodyear | 60.4 | 39.4 | 84.6 | 60.8 |
| 5 | Buckeye | 59.6 | 37.6 | 89.0 | 63.4 |
More West States
Arizona Rankings Overview
Arizona earns an overall grade of C with a composite score of 45.2 out of 100, ranking #38 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Growth (65/100) while its biggest challenge is Education (10/100).
Economy & Employment in Arizona
With an unemployment rate of 4.3% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Arizona performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $74,568, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Arizona
Arizona's violent crime rate of 430 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Arizona
Arizona ranks #33 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #45 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Arizona is 77.5 years, and the high school graduation rate is 79%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Arizona
Arizona's total tax burden is 8.22% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 2.5%. The effective property tax rate is 0.56% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.52%.
Housing & Affordability in Arizona
The median home price in Arizona is $455,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 101 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
Environment in Arizona
Arizona has a median air quality index of 45 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 16% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 31.5 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Arizona
Arizona's population growth rate is +1.8% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +4.7 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 94.5% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Arizona
The top-ranked cities in Arizona based on our composite scoring are Queen Creek, Goodyear, and Gilbert. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arizona's overall ranking?
Arizona ranks #38 out of 50 states with a composite score of 45.2/100 and a grade of C.
Is Arizona a good place to live?
Arizona scores 45.2/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Arizona?
The violent crime rate in Arizona is 430 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Arizona's economy compare?
Arizona's median household income is $74,568 with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Arizona?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Arizona are Queen Creek, Goodyear, and Gilbert.
How does Arizona rank for families?
Arizona ranks #45 of 50 states for families with a score of 39.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Arizona rank for retirees?
Arizona ranks #39 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 51.2/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Arizona rank for remote workers?
Arizona ranks #35 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 52.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.