Best Cities for Families in Arizona
Arizona ranks #45 of 50 for families, with a families score of 47.8. Gilbert is its best city for families at 63.0.
- Arizona, all states
- #45 of 50
- Population
- 280,262
What Families Should Know About Arizona
Arizona ranks #45 out of 50 for families, placing it in the bottom tier of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in safety (63/100) — but Arizona's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around livability and environment.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Arizona faces challenges on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 77.3%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 33/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care runs $16,384 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Arizona faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 377.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 100.7, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 23 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Gilbert | A | 63.0 | 63.8 | 43 | 93 | 46 | 280,262 |
| 2Chandler | B+ | 60.5 | 61.0 | 38 | 90 | 51 | 280,136 |
| 3Queen Creek | A | 60.4 | 66.2 | 37 | 91 | 42 | 71,867 |
| 4Marana | A | 60.3 | 65.9 | 47 | 94 | 60 | 56,938 |
| 5Surprise | B+ | 57.6 | 60.2 | 38 | 96 | 53 | 154,948 |
| 6Peoria | B | 57.5 | 58.2 | 42 | 83 | 54 | 196,906 |
| 7Scottsdale | B+ | 57.4 | 61.0 | 45 | 83 | 38 | 243,821 |
| 8Tempe | B | 56.3 | 57.4 | 52 | 61 | 56 | 188,065 |
| 9Buckeye | B | 55.5 | 58.4 | 38 | 91 | 54 | 104,923 |
| 10Goodyear | B+ | 55.3 | 60.2 | 39 | 82 | 52 | 107,645 |
| 11Mesa | C+ | 55.0 | 54.7 | 39 | 71 | 59 | 511,764 |
| 12Avondale | C+ | 53.4 | 55.6 | 38 | 69 | 57 | 92,477 |
| 13Lake Havasu City | C+ | 53.2 | 53.0 | 39 | 80 | 66 | 58,359 |
| 14Catalina Foothills | B+ | 53.0 | 62.9 | — | — | 55 | 52,593 |
| 15Glendale | C | 53.0 | 52.1 | 42 | 62 | 61 | 252,833 |
| 16Flagstaff | C+ | 52.5 | 53.3 | 42 | 60 | 54 | 76,445 |
| 17Tucson | C | 52.5 | 50.0 | 39 | 69 | 75 | 547,073 |
| 18Yuma | D | 52.3 | 46.1 | 37 | 76 | 79 | 100,139 |
| 19Casas Adobes | C+ | 51.4 | 53.6 | — | — | 65 | 72,059 |
| 20Phoenix | C | 50.6 | 51.3 | 40 | 48 | 59 | 1,642,323 |
| 21Maricopa | C+ | 49.9 | 52.6 | 11 | 86 | 56 | 67,163 |
| 22Casa Grande | D | 47.9 | 48.5 | 24 | 71 | 66 | 60,905 |
| 23San Tan Valley | D | 46.4 | 45.8 | 29 | — | 53 | 109,189 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Arizona for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arizona a good state for families?
Arizona ranks #45 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 47.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (63/100) and its weakest is Livability (24/100).
What is the best city for families in Arizona?
Gilbert ranks #1 in Arizona for families with a score of 63.0/100, followed by Chandler and Queen Creek.
What factors are most important for families in Arizona?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.